Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1244, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to reduce the State's dependence on fossil fuels for cooling purposes by requiring state agencies to:

Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning, LLC, supported this bill. The Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs testified in support of the intent of this bill. The Department of Accounting and General Services testified in opposition to the bill.

Your Committee finds that seawater air-conditioning projects in state facilities would advance the State's energy policy goal of reducing dependence on fossil fuels and would reduce the amount and cost of electricity necessary for cooling state buildings. Your Committee further finds that state agencies should not be required by law to use one particular technology or renewable energy source, but should retain the flexibility to choose the energy efficiency technology that best suits their needs at the lowest reasonable cost.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1244, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.