HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0767.000 2022-2024 Mitchell D. Roth •o�`Y°`••".�h s, Diane Nakagawa
Mayor 41 ! Director
Aaron K.H.Brown
a.`. Deputy Director
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County of Hawaii
Finance Department rj
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2103 • Hilo,Hawai`i 96720
(808)961-8234 • Fax(808)961-8569
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March 1, 2024 Tye
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Heather Kimball, Council Chair and EN.)
Members of the Hawai`i County Council
Hawai`i County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Re: Agreement with Arizona State University
Enclosed is a resolution to enter into an agreement with Arizona State University to aid
the County in its intervention of Public Utilities Commission (PUC) dockets, including
Integrated Grid Planning, Electrification of Transportation, Performance-Based
Regulation, Competitive Bidding, Microgrid, and consumer rate cases. This is a one-year
agreement with four additional option years.
If there are any questions,please do not hesitate to call Riley Saito, from the Department
of Research and Development at 323-4704.
Diane Nakagawa
Director of Finance
Enc.
c: R&D
` es. ifS 2 -21-11-'
Comm. No.
Ref. To: bt
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and kef. Date NAR
Form#: B-52
7/18/91
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
DEPARTMENT: Research and Development DATE: 2/08/2024
STAFF CONTACT: Riley Saito PHONE: 808-323-4704
A. REQUEST:
Resolution authorizing R & D to enter into a one-year agreement with Arizona State University
(ASU) with the option of extending the agreement for four years. ASU will enable the County to
effectively perform its intervention of PUC Dockets related to HECO's Integrated Grid Plan,
Electrification of Transportation, Performance-Based Regulation, Competitive Bidding, Microgrid, as
well any consumer rate case that may be introduced before the PUC.
Cost: $125,000
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, to intervene in several PUC dockets
about grid planning, electrification of transportation, regulation of the utility based on performance,
see attached for more information.
The County has saved roughly $50 to $70 million by intervening in current and prior PUC dockets.
As a current intervenor in the docket mentioned above the County intends to work closely with ASU
as they have 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 the 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.
SIGNED: DATE: 02/15/2024
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