Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 998 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the use of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold standard for buildings constructed or substantially renovated with at least fifty percent of the funding coming from state funds.

Testimony in favor of the measure was received from the Rocky Mountain Institute, the Sierra Club-Hawaii Chapter, PowerLight Corporation, Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance, and Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning, Inc. The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and Hawaiian Electric Company supported the intent of the measure and provided comments. Testimony in opposition to the measure and comments were received from the Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation.

Your Committee finds that the use of LEED building and design standards, formulated by the United States Green Building Council, provide for reduced impact on the environment, a healthier workplace, and, in the case of government buildings, savings to taxpayers due to more efficient energy management.

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. 998 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.