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Jan. 21, 2025, 11 a.m.
Hawai'i County Building
To: Hawaii County Council, Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit
James Hustace, Chair
Ashley Kierkiewicz, Vice -Chair - -
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Jonathan Helton, Policy Researcher
RE: Bill 12 — RELATING TO THE ELECTRICAL CODE
Aloha Chair Hustace, Vice -Chair Kierkiewicz and other members of the Committee,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Bill 12, which would exempt from the electrical code work
performed by an electrical utility on generating plants, various stations and lines controlled by the utility.
Such an exemption would help speed the permit process for everyone. Hawaii Electric Light Co. and its
customers would benefit since it could perform work in a more timely manner.
With fewer permits in the queue, all other applicants for electrical permits could also see swifter permit
issuance times.
Honolulu's code contains a similar exemption for "work performed by an electric utility on electrical
installations and equipment owned by or under the direct control of the electric utility, and located on real
property provided by the electric utility's customers pursuant to rules established by the public utilities
commission of the State of Hawaii."'
Likewise, Maui's code states: "This Code shall not apply to the following:... Electrical work by an electrical
utility on structures and facilities relating to the generation and distribution of electricity. If a person or entity
requests an exemption for electrical work under this provision, the person or entity shall have the burden of
' Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, 1.7-1_.1 Adoption of the State Electrical Code., accessed Jan. 16, 2025.
1050 Bishop St. #508 ' Honolulu, HI 96813 808-864-1776 info@grassrootinstitute.org
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demonstrating to the satisfaction of the director that the person or entity is an electrical utility, as defined in
this Code, and that the electrical work complies with this section.."'
Kauai County also allows an exemption for work on certain utility -owned electrical equipment,' leaving
Hawai'i County as the only county without some kind of exemption for electric utilities.
In fact, every other county has at least nine exemptions in their electrical codes, including for work on
buildings owned by the federal or state government, certain telecommunications equipment, certain air
conditioners and refrigeration systems and traffic lights.
Currently, Hawai'i County provides only one exemption from the electrical code, a boilerplate for work and
installations not covered by the code.
Please consider expanding this scope of this bill to include many of the exemptions used in other counties.
Grassroot would welcome further discussion about this matter.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Jonathan Helton
Policy Researcher
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
2 Maui County Code, Q 2(B) amended , accessed Jan. 16, 2025.
a Kauai County Code, b 13 3 Sconp.. accessed Jan. 16, 2025.
1050 Bishop St. #508 Honolulu, HI 96813 808-864-1776 info@grassrootinstitute.org