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Form #: B-52 7/18/91 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION DEPARTMENT: Research and Development DATE: 7/7/17 STAFF CONTACT: Will Rolston PHONE: 323-4704 • A. REQUEST: Resolution authorizing R & D to enter into a multi-year agreement with Arizona State University (ASU) for the purpose of aiding the County in its intervention of PUC Dockets pertaining to HECO's Power Supply Improvement Plans as well as a Grid Modernization Strategy Docket. Waive: Finance Committee. B. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION (USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NEEDED): Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes § 46-7, the County may enter into agreements with "any public body" with the consent of Council. R & D is requesting that Council approve a resolution authorizing R & D to enter into an agreement with ASU, a public body, for the purposes of intervening in several PUC dockets pertaining to power supply, generation, and transmission. The County has saved roughly $50 to $70 million by intervening in prior PUC dockets. As a current intervenor in the Power Supply Improvement Plan docket, the County intends to intervene in several closely aligned and related dockets. ASU has years of experience in utility design and regulatory policy, analysis of new business models and new paradigms, and modeling optimal engineering and economic solutions with a focus on consumers and communities. Given ASU's expertise and experience in this arena, R & D seeks authorization from council to contract with ASU for support and advisement in its intended docket interventions. Specifically, ASU will help to identify issues of concern from the proposed grid modernization strategy, identify policy issues and recommendations, review dockets, provide arguments to help in other related dockets, and help the County identify and articulate arguments for its intervention. ASU would provide this support both electronically, in person, and by attending the PUC hearings. Xtr. SIGNED: DATE: 7/7/17 Department Head L