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HI HR127

Resolution

Status

Introduced

3/6/2020

Primary Sponsor

Ryan Yamane

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2020 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Urges the Board of Land and Natural Resources to approve long-term water leases for Hawaiian Electric's non-consumptive hydroelectric operations along the Wailuku River in Hilo through direct negotiation rather than competitive bidding.

  • Requests the Board base lease rent on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rates calculated by the amount of energy produced by the hydroelectric plants (Puueo Hydro and Waiau Hydro).

  • Notes Hawaiian Electric's water use is non-consumptive, with the same amount of water returned to the river after power generation, and that no public lands are involved in the lease.

  • Indicates Hawaiian Electric needs long-term lease certainty to invest in repairs and upgrades to Waiau Hydro, which was damaged in Hurricane Lane in August 2018.

  • Directs certified copies of the resolution be sent to relevant state and county officials, including the Board of Land and Natural Resources Chairperson and Hawaiian Electric leadership.

Legislative Description

Urging The Board Of Land And Natural Resources To Dispose Of The Long-term Water Rights Leases For Hawaiian Electric's Non-consumptive Water Use Along The Wailuku River By Direct Negotiation And Provide Guidance On Determining The Value Of The Annual Water Lease Rent.

Water Rights

Last Action

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Har, McDermott, Say excused (3).

6/30/2020

Committee Referrals

Finance6/30/2020
Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs3/11/2020

Full Bill Text

No bill text available