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 S.B. No. 3186 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to reconvene the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum to develop an action plan, timeline, and benchmarks, and to further engage Hawaii's leaders and stakeholders in implementing the Forum's visions, concepts, and recommendations for Hawaii's preferred energy future.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum, the Rocky Mountain Institute, Hawaii Association of Realtors, The Gas Company, Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning LLC, Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance, the Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and PowerLight Solar Electric Systems submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs submitted comments.

In December 2003, the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum convened a policy summit to provide a community-based forum for review of its work and recommendations. The final report of the summit, "Hawaii at the Crossroads: A Long Term Energy Strategy," sets forth recommended guiding principles and policy options to meet Hawaii's long-term energy needs.

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 S.B. No. 3186, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3186, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.