RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Hawaii is an insular state that is geographically isolated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean; and

WHEREAS, the State has always been immensely dependent on imported energy, mainly oil; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii residents have always had to pay a premium for imported energy in all its forms, particularly in the form of gasoline; and

WHEREAS, efforts have been made to increase the use of alternative energy resources; and

WHEREAS, hydrogen fuel cells are the most promising of the new technologies for nonpolluting, renewable energy generation; and

WHEREAS, automobile manufacturers have focused on hydrogen fuel cell power as the next fifty-year solution for automotive power plants; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii has a unique opportunity to develop a technology industry cluster around this huge growth market; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) is requested to support the research and development of hydrogen fuel cell energy as an alternative energy source for next-generation automobiles; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DBEDT is requested to work in conjunction with the Hawaii Technology Trade Association in furthering the development and utilization of hydrogen fuel cell energy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DBEDT is requested to explore advanced alternative energy development opportunities, including approaching automotive manufacturers to serve as a test venue for alternative energy prototype vehicles; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DBEDT is requested to support the development of an industry cluster of related private sector businesses that support hydrogen fuel cell energy research and development; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DBEDT is requested to support the development of secondary mechanical and technical workforce training expertise on the maintenance and support of next-generation ground transportation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DBEDT submit a report to the Legislature on its findings, recommendations, and the actions taken to comply with this Concurrent Resolution not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2004 Regular Session; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and the Hawaii Technology Trade Association.

Report Title:

Requesting the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to support the research and development of hydrogen fuel cell energy as an alternative energy source for next-generation automobiles in Hawaii.