STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1437

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2007

RE:   S.B. No. 1612

      S.D. 2

      H.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.B. No. 1612, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to update data on the effects of global warming in Hawaii.

     Specifically, this measure is intended to develop appropriate State responses to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by assembling an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions estimates and appropriating funds for the Hawaii energy policy forum to develop a timetable to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Hawaii.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., and the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum.  Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Department of Health and the Windward Ahupua'a Alliance.  The Western States Petroleum Association, the University of Hawaii Environmental Center, Covanta Energy, Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning, LLC, and the Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter submitted comments.

     Your Committee firmly believes that the urgency of the environmental threat from global warming demands a more comprehensive and immediate strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the State.  Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by replacing its contents with those of H.B. No. 226 H.D. 2.  This change would create a new chapter on greenhouse gas reduction.  Pursuant to this chapter, the Director of Health would determine what the statewide level of greenhouse gases was in 1990, and set that level as the emissions limit that the State must achieve by 2020.  The Director would also be required to adopt rules that will result in the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective greenhouse gas emission reductions.  Additionally, funds would be appropriated from the environmental response revolving fund to administer the greenhouse gas emissions program.

     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 S.B. No. 1612, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1612, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair