Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Energy, Environment, and International Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 173 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Center for Smart Building and Community Design (Center) to develop energy efficient design standards for new and retrofitted buildings throughout the University of Hawaii system.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii and the Hawaiian Electric Company.

The State of Hawaii has the highest electrical cost in the country. The University of Hawaii is the largest user of electricity on Oahu after the United States military.

The University of Hawaii and the State of Hawaii have a special responsibility to taxpayers to use resources in a manner that is as productive and efficient as possible today and for future generations. This year, the University of Hawaii will spend over $20 million on electricity. During the 2003-2004 budget cycle, oil costs averaged $37 a barrel. Presently, oil costs are $53 per barrel. That change represents a 70% increase in fuel costs and industry insiders do not expect to see these prices decrease in the future.

The Center is prepared to develop design standards for energy efficiency for new and retrofitted buildings. The University of Hawaii is in the process of identifying engineers and architects to develop the standards and anticipates a Fall completion date. Establishing standards for energy efficient building design can reduce the University's overall energy consumption by twenty to fifty per cent and reduce energy costs by millions of dollars annually at current costs.

The University of Hawaii is the perfect starting point to generate energy conserving design principles. The Center is committed to improving the interaction among the built, natural, and human environments by focusing resources and expertise to solve issues facing the University of Hawaii's larger community.

The University of Hawaii can realize these savings and demonstrate leadership to the larger community by creating design standards that consider energy conservation, healthful design strategies, and life cycle costs for efficient building operations. Building orientation, passive design techniques, thermal mitigation, appropriate material choices, day-lighting, energy efficient lighting, air conditioning design, water conserving strategies, and viable renewable energy applications can substantially reduce the energy demand and improve the quality of life within and around our buildings.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Energy, Environment, and International Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 173 and recommend its adoption.