SB 587 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Summary

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process, including vehicle-to-grid compliance requirements, by 1/1/2026. Authorizes the use of the Hawaii electricity reliability surcharge for cost recovery of certain expenses of the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator associated with the grid-ready homes interconnection process. Requires a report to the PUC on the grid-ready homes interconnection process. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Feb 7, 2025

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What changed between versions

SB587 → SB587_SD1 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill introduces a streamlined interconnection process for 'grid-ready homes' to accelerate renewable energy adoption in Hawaii. It requires utilities to approve grid-ready home connections within two weeks, establishes a $350 cost-sharing fee for necessary service upgrades, and mandates vehicle-to-grid compliance by July 2025. The bill also creates a new reliability surcharge to fund the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator's operations related to this process.

Scope change

The bill expands the commission's jurisdiction to include interconnections between non-utility entities and the Hawaii electric system, and specifically targets residential properties equipped with clean energy technologies.

DEFINITION

New definition of 'grid-ready home' for residential properties equipped with EV chargers, heat pumps, solar systems, and smart grid technology

REQUIREMENT

Utilities must process grid-ready home interconnection requests within two weeks if electrical permits are approved

FISCAL

$350 cost-sharing fee for asset owners to cover necessary service upgrades

New Hawaii electricity reliability surcharge to fund the Reliability Administrator's grid-ready home interconnection process

TIMELINE

Vehicle-to-grid compliance requirements must be incorporated into interconnection rules by July 1, 2025

ENFORCEMENT

Commission gains authority to make final determinations on disputes regarding interconnections

TECHNICAL

Protocols for virtual commissioning and interconnection agreements to be issued within one week of commissioning packet submission

SCOPE

Commission jurisdiction extended to matters concerning interconnections by non-public utility entities

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 7, 2025

Committee

Reported from EIG/CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 89) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EIG were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, DeCoite; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Fevella; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Richards.

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Fukunaga, McKelvey ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Richards, Awa.

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG/CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-29-25 9:45AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to EIG/CPN, WAM.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

4 primary · 3 co-sponsors