The controversial undersea cable bill has cleared the Senate after lengthy back-and-forth comments on the floor. 

The votes were 22-3 on Senate Bill 2785. Sens. Clayton Hee, Sam Slom and Suzanne Chun Oakland voted no. It next heads for final approval by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who has supported the legislation.

Energy and Environment Chair Mike Gabbard stressed that the bill would not require any undersea transmission cable be built between the islands. It does not, he said, fast-track a cable or allow for relaxed environmental regulations.

The measure would set up a regulatory framework for an undersea electric transmission cable if one is built. The project would become a regulated utility under the Public Utilities Commission.

Sen. Roz Baker, identifying herself as Neighbor Islander, also rose in support of the bill. She too stressed that the bill ”does not in any way mandate” an interisland cable. She said she believes any project that moves forward “must be pono … and not saddle the ratepayers with unreasonable cost.”

In opposing the bill, Hee said that Gabbard’s characterization of “Tutu Pele as waiting and willing to share … I frankly find that a little offensive. And any suggestion that this is pono, I find offensive … Tragic, not offensive.”

Hee said he views the bill as encouraging a cable be built at great cost to taxpayers, even somewhat likening it to Honolulu’s rail transit project.

“This cable is emblematic of more than an expensive cable that will end up costing everyone more. I don’t want to get into the rail debate, but…”

Voting with reservations were Sens. Wakai, Fukunaga, Tokuda, Ryan, Ihara, English, Shimabukuro, Nishihara, Kim and Ige.

— Nanea Kalani