Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 3081 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate, using general obligation bonds, funds for the planning, design, and construction of a main seawater pump for use by the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.

The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority testified in support of the measure.

Your Committee finds that this measure provides funds to support the planning, design, and construction of a main seawater pump to be used by the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority for innovative research involving ocean thermal energy conversion. This groundbreaking research will help diversify Hawaii's economy, create jobs, increase tax revenues, and allow for high value product exporting for items ranging from abalone and algae as well as deep seawater bottling.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3081 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.