STAND. COM. REP. NO.  206

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 1017

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1017 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOFUELS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to expand the renewable energy facility siting process to include biofuel production facilities and distribution infrastructure with the capacity to produce or distribute one hundred thousand gallons or more of biofuel annually, so that such facilities and infrastructure may benefit from the expedited permitting process under that law.

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

     Your Committee finds that this measure encourages and expedites the permitting process for the development of renewable energy facilities in Hawaii.  By expanding the renewable energy facility siting process to include distribution infrastructure and biofuel producers with lower production capacities, the State will increase participation in the process and more quickly achieve its clean energy goals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     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. 1017, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1017, 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