Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 64 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution was to oppose a proposed experiment involving the ocean sequestration of carbon dioxide.

Your Committee received testimony from 38 concerned citizens and representatives of organizations in support of this measure, citing a broad range of possible environmental and economic risks from the proposed experiment. A videotape and a petition in support were also submitted. Opposition to the resolution was also voluminous, with testimony from 24 scientists, most of whom are involved in the experiments. The Chairman of the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research also testified against the measure. The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority recommended certain corrections, and the University of Hawaii Environmental Center offered comments.

Your Committee finds this to be a highly controversial issue which may present unintended ramifications for research funding in unrelated programs. Moreover, the real impacts of the project remain unclear. Both opponents and proponents of the measure brought forth compelling arguments to support their positions. The level of public interest and concern warrant a full discussion and disclosure which is not afforded in this legislative process. Therefore, your Committee finds that a thorough review under the National Environmental Policy Act would be the best venue to evaluate the merits of the proposed carbon dioxide ocean sequestration experiments.

Furthermore, your Committee finds that the subject experiment stems from a federal actions that favor carbon dioxide sequestering rather than emissions reductions. Your Committee questions the wisdom of such actions and the recent decision of the President of the United States not to regulate carbon dioxide emissions.

Therefore, your Committee has amended House Resolution 64 by:

(1) Deleting the contents of the original measure; and

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 64, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 64, H.D. 1.