Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2848, H.D. 2, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to meet Hawaii's energy goals by appropriating $200,000 to reconvene the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum to implement the vision, concepts, and recommendations contained in its final report, "Hawaii at the Crossroads: A Long Term Energy Strategy."

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, County of Kauai Energy Extension Service of the Office of Economic Development, the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum, the Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii, the Rocky Mountain Institute, Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning LLC, Haiku Design & Analysis, Hawaiian Electric Company Inc., the Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance, The Gas Company, the Hawaii Association of Realtors, and Power Light Solar Electric Systems submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs submitted comments.

Your Committee finds that the appropriation in this measure will enable the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum to reconvene for the purpose of developing an action plan and timeline to implement the vision, concepts, and recommendations of the summit's final report. This will provide a unique opportunity for stakeholders to continue their work and for further engagement of policy-makers, decision-makers, and consumers on issues relevant to Hawaii's preferred energy future.

Upon further consideration, your Committee amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2848, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2848, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.