HB1115

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1115
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that, while ethanol can be used in cars, biodiesel or bio-jet fuel is needed for heavy transportation, ships, and jetliners. There is wide agreement that potentially the best way to biologically derive oil for biofuels is to extract it from algae, especially salt water algae. Algae produce vastly more biofuel oil per acre than any other source. Using current technology for producing algae from salt water, six thousand gallons per acre of biodiesel from algae is a realistic production target. This compares to a fuel yield of only one thousand five hundred gallons per acre for sugarcane ethanol produced using the Brazilian method. Algae use no fresh water and far less land than any other biofuel crop and can be grown on any land that is near the ocean. Algae from sea water have the added benefit of consuming excess carbon dioxide, a harmful greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Ideally, algae should be fed a carbon dioxide enriched air stream to help them grow.

The legislature further finds that Hawaii's bio-scientists have developed the technology to make biodiesel cheaply. Funding for the national energy laboratory of Hawaii is needed to complete the technology and provide the University of Hawaii with the research and development platform to place Hawaii firmly out in front at bringing this technology to commercial reality.

The legislature further finds that sea water algae technology for a global industry could be spawned in Hawaii, and the yields per acre are so high that the cost per gallon could prove far superior to Malaysian-style palm kernel oil grown in Hawaii.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii for a five-acre pilot project at the national energy laboratory of Hawaii to research and develop marine algae for the purpose of producing biodiesel.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $3,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for a pilot project for the national energy laboratory of Hawaii to research and develop marine algae on a five-acre plot to produce biodiesel.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________