STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2126

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.C.R. No. 53

      S.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 53, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE USE OF COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this Concurrent Resolution is to promote the use of higher efficiency light bulbs to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

     Specifically, the measure:

     (1)  Requests all state and county government facilities to replace incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs by January 1, 2010; and

     (2)  Requests the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, as Energy Resources Coordinator, to develop incentive and educational programs to encourage private consumers to use ENERGY STAR qualified compact light bulbs.

     The Environmental Center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the Hawaii Government Employees Association, and Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. submitted testimony in support of the measure.

     Your Committee finds that the cost of electricity will continue to increase as long as fossil fuels are used to generate electric power.  In addition, the increased demand for energy depletes our limited fossil fuel reserves.  Consumers, businesses, and government agencies that replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs would reduce their electricity costs because compact fluorescent light bulbs use two-thirds less energy than incandescent light bulbs.

     Your Committee finds that several countries already have banned the use of incandescent light bulbs and a number of states are considering such a ban.  This Concurrent Resolution will promote the use of more efficient lighting and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

     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 S.C.R. No. 53, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair