STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1463

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 56

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 56 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO PROTECT WILDLIFE AND WILDERNESS BY OPPOSING OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AND ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF AND SUPPORTING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY ALTERNATIVES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the United States Congress to oppose oil and gas exploration and development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and on the Outer Continental Shelf and to support clean, renewable energy alternatives.

     Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by two individuals.  Comments were submitted by one private organization.  Written testimony presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) is home to some of the most diverse and spectacular wildlife in the arctic and is the most important onshore denning habitat for America's vanishing polar bears.  Drilling in the Refuge will cause irreparable harm to these areas.  Even with safety protocols in place, each year United States drilling operations send an average of 880,000 gallons of oil into the ocean.  These harms are not outweighed by potential benefits.  The United States Energy Information Administration has concluded that at its peak in 2030, oil from the Refuge would only lower gas prices by a few pennies per gallon and produce between approximately one and three per cent of Americans' daily consumption.  Your Committee finds that the better course of action is to move toward a new energy efficient and renewable economy.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive changes to its title and body for style and clarity purposes.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 56, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 56, S.D. 1.

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

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair