STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3397

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 647

       H.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 647, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to repeal section 196-18, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which establishes a Public-private Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) that provides input on state energy management.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and the Advisory Committee.

     Your Committee finds that in its 2008 report to the Legislature, the Advisory Committee, recognizing the importance of energy policy and management, submitted twenty-five key recommendations addressing, among other things, energy use reduction, the enhancement of renewable energy use, and building design improvement.  In this context, the Advisory Committee also addressed monitoring and audit design and implementation, the identification of funding needs, policy development, incentive programs for energy conservation, purchasing and energy-savings contract specifications, and building design specifications to optimize long-term energy efficiency and conservation for State facilities.  These recommendations will serve as a framework in developing a sustainable future for the State of Hawaii.

     Your Committee also finds that the rapidly changing global energy environment, by virtue of its tendency to present rapid and unpredictable challenges and opportunities, requires a capacity for flexibility in administrative response.  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism currently has the authority to convene ad hoc discussion groups and committees to discuss and evaluate energy resource related issues and concerns.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 647, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,

____________________________

RON MENOR, Chair