Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.R. No. 149 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to promote the use of alternative energy resources in Hawaii by:

The Consumer Advocate, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaiian Electric Company, Maui Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Light Company, the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum, and the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center submitted testimony in support of this measure. Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. supported the intent of this measure. The Department of Agriculture offered comments.

Your Committee notes that the State of Hawaii relies on imported oil for more than eighty-nine per cent of its primary energy. Furthermore, Hawaii residents continue to pay the highest electricity rates in the nation.

Your Committee finds that fuel crops, or biomass, can be used to create alternative fuels, such as ethanol and methanol, which can reduce Hawaii's dependence on fossil fuels and may ultimately make electric generation and fuels less expensive for Hawaii consumers.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 149 and recommends its adoption.