H.R. 59 Summary

• Urges the Public Utilities Commission to expand the Community-Based Renewable Energy (CBRE) program established by Act 100 (2015) to provide renewable energy access to residents and businesses unable to generate onsite renewable energy.

• Requests removal or substantial increase of CBRE program capacity beyond the current 72 megawatts combined for Phases 1 and 2, with consideration for periodic re-evaluation of capacity caps.

• Directs the PUC to design the program as open and accessible, accommodating a variety of project models and sizes to increase market access for eligible renewable energy resources.

• Urges the PUC to consider credit rate incentives for underserved customer segments and streamline interconnection processes while restricting interconnection costs imposed on CBRE projects.

• Requests Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, and Hawaii Electric Light expand the applicant pool to include additional investors for Phase 2 of the CBRE program.