HI SCR248

Request that the Public Utilities Commission develop and adopt reliability standards and interconnection requirements under Hawaii Revised Statutes section 269-142 to expedite utility-scale renewable energy project interconnections.

Require electric utilities to complete interconnection design, reach agreement with project developers, and file for interconnection approval within 270 days of a renewable energy power purchase agreement filing, with interim status reports required at 90 and 180 days.

Authorize the Public Utilities Commission to require utilities to forfeit performance incentive mechanism funds and financial awards if they fail to meet the 270-day timeline, and require the Commission to approve or disapprove interconnection requests within 120 days.

Request the Public Utilities Commission contract with a Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator (non-utility entity) per Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and submit the Administrator's reports to the Legislature within 30 days of receipt.

Require the Public Utilities Commission to report to the Legislature by November 2021 on Maui-specific interconnection issues, recommendations for amending the Hawaii electricity reliability surcharge assessment, AES Coal Plant retirement status, and any proposed legislation.