THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	82
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF AND NEED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A GREEN ENERGY COORDINATOR OFFICE.

WHEREAS, there are numerous public and private agencies involved in various aspects of achieving energy self-sufficiency in the State; and

WHEREAS, the planning and implementation of a statewide integrated strategy to guide and facilitate cooperation between the private sector and government will require coordination at the highest level to promote the effective management of financial and natural resources for the transition of Hawaii to energy self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, the State Energy Functional Plan establishes as objectives of the State:

     (1)  Improvement of statewide energy planning and program implementation capabilities; and

     (2)  Acceleration of the transition to an indigenous renewable energy economy by facilitating private sector activities to explore supply options and to achieve local commercialization and application of appropriate alternate energy technologies; and

WHEREAS, section 196-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, designates the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism as the state energy resources coordinator, and chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, recognizes the need for strategic comprehensive planning in the effort towards achieving full utilization of Hawaii's energy resource programs and the most effective allocation of energy resources throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, the coordination of statewide energy planning efforts for energy self-sufficiency in Hawaii, the determination of priority of state, county, and other programs, and effective program implementation depends on the establishment of strong leadership and an organization with the authority to execute those priorities and programs; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to conduct a study on the feasibility and need to establish an office to coordinate and promote the development of indigenous energy resources, biofuels, and transition to a renewable energy economy, including the feasibility of establishing a Department of Green Energy as an executive department; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Green Energy Coordinator