STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1002

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   S.B. No. 1244

      S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 1244, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOFUELS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to assist the State in meeting its clean energy goals by making the renewable energy facility siting process available to biofuel production facilities and distribution infrastructure with the capacity to produce or distribute 100,000 gallons or more of biofuel annually.

     The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Hawaii BioEnergy, and the Pacific Resource Partnership testified in support of this bill.

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

     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. 1244, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

DENNY COFFMAN, Acting Chair