House Bill 977, HD1, relating to energy financing passed committee action Tuesday after chairs said they would adopt technical, non-substantive amendments.

Witnesses included representatives from the Public Utilities Commission (Leo Ascension, via Ashley Norman), the DCCA Division of Consumer Advocacy (Asami Kobayashi speaking for the executive director), and supporters from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and local contractors. Ted Peck of Island Solar Supply described HGIA projects that enabled solar installations for low- and moderate-income communities.

Chairs said the loan program mechanism in the bill could expand clean-energy access and therefore recommended technical non-substantive edits before passing the bill. The chair and vice chair voted aye and the motion was adopted by the members present.

Committee staff will incorporate the technical edits into the committee report; no appropriation or programmatic changes were adopted during the hearing.