STAND. COM. REP. NO. 369

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1090

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 S.B. No. 1090 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require state agencies to implement inexpensive energy conservation practices and review existing conservation strategies.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by one organization and twelve public citizens.  One state agency and two public citizens supported the intent of the measure.  One public citizen submitted comments.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

Your Committee finds that state agencies need to do more to implement simple, but important, energy conservation practices in the workplace.

     During the last decade, the State has invested millions of dollars in technology to bring energy costs down.  In addition, the State has established various operational procedures to lower electricity costs.  At the State Capitol, for instance, air conditioning is turned off at 4:30 p.m. and left completely off in certain areas during the weekend.

     Your Committee further finds that even with these measures in place, more can be done by department leadership and employees.  At the Department of Education, for example, employees leave fluorescent lights on when no one is in the room, computers are left on over the weekend, and windows are propped open and space heaters are on even though the air conditioner is operating.

     Your Committee believes that state employees should be encouraged to conserve energy.  Simple, inexpensive conservation reminders, such as signs placed at each exit, announcements during meetings and training sessions, brief articles in department newsletters, emails to employees, and morning announcements, may be effective.  Even the current practice of leaving a limited number of lights on at night to deter theft should also be reviewed to see if the benefits outweigh the costs.  Although the savings per item may be minimal, your Committee believes the savings will be substantial when consolidated.

     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 S.B. No. 1090 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations.

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

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair