HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 026 2017/08/01 (2016-2018) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: August 1, 2017 Re: Comm. No. 364/Res. No. 241-17
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 9:46 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 241-17, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 241-17, transmitted by Council Chair Valerie T. Poindexter, via Communication No. 364
dated July 14, 2017, authorizes the Office of the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Arizona State
University.
The agreement would assist the County with its intervention of Public Utility Commission(PUC) dockets
pertaining to Hawaiian Electric Company's Power Supply Improvement Plans and Grid Modernization
Strategy.
Research and Development Director Diane Ley stated that HRS, Section 46-7, requires that the County
obtain the consent of the council to authorize approval of the administration to enter into a contract with
the University of Arizona, to support the review of several fairly complex PUC dockets. The purpose of
the contract is to allow Arizona State University to intervene in several PUC dockets pertaining to power
supply, generation, and transmission as well as integration of those dockets into additional dockets.
University of Arizona has a history of being able to address the number of utility related planning
strategies and assessments. Arizona State University would also assist the department with formulation
and identification of opportunities relating to these dockets as well as policies, recommendations, and any
additions or timelines. The focus would be on balancing of equitable rates as well as the economic
viability of the utility.
Council Member Sue Lee Loy inquired how evaluation from the university would tie into the comment
period at the PUC level as it moves through that analysis process. Ms. Ley stated that the County has
been a participant in that docket and is working through the process.
Council Member Dru Kanuha confirmed that the Mayor is authorized to execute the agreement and any
related documents on behalf of the County. Ms. Ley stated they are focused on the power supply
improvement plans and modernization strategy docket. The challenge has been moving forward with
planning, which goes before the PUC, with the authority to split off into separate dockets, and therefore
needs some flexibility. She stated public dollars are involved, and they want to be conservative while
fulfilling the intent of assisting the County in asking the right questions and suggesting appropriate
policies.
FC Report No. 26
FC-26 Page 2 August 1, 2017
Pursuant to Section 46-7of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes, the Mayor of the County of Hawai`i is
authorized to execute, on behalf of the County, an agreement and related documents with Arizona State
University to provide aid to the County.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 241-17, and
recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
EOFF X
KANUHA X
LEE LOY X �.'
drIWIIIVS _
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O'HARA X � ,„ I ' •
POINDEXTER x MAILE DAVID, CHAIR
RICHARDS X FC REPORT NO.: 26
RUGGLES X ADOPTED: AUG 1 6 2017