Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 129 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology of the University of Hawai‘i, in collaboration with other parties, prepare a preliminary assessment on developing a sustainable energy sector.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), University of Hawai`i, Hawaiian Electric Company, Kauai Electric and The Gas Company, Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance, Center for Sustainable Future, Life of the Land, and eight individuals.

Your Committee finds that the University, DBEDT, and the private sector have much of the expertise needed to plan for the optimal strategies to take Hawaii to a targeted reduction in fossil fuel consumption by the year 2020. The parties understand the rapid changes in the technologies of alternate energy production, as well as the opportunities available through development of the high technology industry in Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended this measure to add to the assessment the consideration of the unique physical and other aspects of each island, and a review how impediments to greater energy sustainability are currently addressed.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 129, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 129, S.D. 1.