STAND. COM. REP. NO. 278
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2007
RE: H.B. No. 678
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 H.B. No. 678 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to establish a greenhouse gas emissions limit and adopt reporting, verification, and enforcement mechanisms.
Your Committee finds that global warming is a threat to the environment, public health, and economic stability of Hawaii. Greenhouse gas emissions have been found to be the main contributor to global warming. Your Committee further finds that a cap on greenhouse gas emissions in Hawaii, regulation and enforcement, mechanisms to regulate emissions, market based mechanisms, and rules to achieve maximum emissions reductions are the most effective ways that we can protect the State and do our part to reduce emissions and global warming worldwide.
The Conservation Council of Hawaii, Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning, LLC, Sierra Club, Ahupua‘a Alliance, and twenty-seven individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure.
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Covanta Energy Group, Western States Petroleum Association, and Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association submitted comments and recommendations on this measure.
The Department of Health offered testimony in opposition to this measure.
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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 678 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,
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____________________________ HERMINA MORITA, Chair |
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