House Bill 1051, HD1, addressing energy-efficiency portfolio standards advanced out of committee unamended following testimony from agencies and stakeholders.

Monique Schaeffer and Mark Glick (State Energy Office) and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ consumer-advocacy division stood on written testimony supporting the bill’s benchmarks and goals. Other supporters included the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and representatives from utilities and nonprofits.

Committee chairs said they believed the standards would help the state progress toward energy-efficiency goals and moved to pass the measure unamended. The motion passed with aye votes from the chair and vice chair and adoption by members present.

The committee report will document testimony and the committee’s recommendation.