STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1692

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 113

       H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology and Transportation and Energy, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 113, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATES TO LOWER COSTS FOR CONSUMERS, CREATE MORE JOBS, AND REDUCE THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE ECONOMY BY REPLACING FOSSIL FUELS WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to call on the federal government and states to lower costs for consumers, create more jobs, and reduce the impacts of climate change on the economy by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and two individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

     Your Committees find that human activity has caused an alarming increase in greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, primarily produced by the use of fossil fuels and recorded in measurements first taken at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, showing an approximate thirty percent increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide between 1958 and 2017.  The increase in greenhouses gas emissions have similarly occurred across the country and have resulted in a rapidly warming globe.  Progress toward Hawaii's one hundred percent renewable portfolio standard has meant an increase in renewable energy from nine percent of electricity generated in 2007 to twenty-five percent of electricity generated in 2017.  The switch to renewable energy sources also results in savings on electricity costs and reduces fuel costs for Hawaii residents.  Your Committees find that the federal government and states across the United States should also work to lower costs for consumers, create more jobs, and reduce impacts of climate change by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy.

     Your Committees note the suggestion by the Consumer Advocate to reference cost-effective renewable energy efforts in this measure, as the State would not want to encourage the adoption of renewable energy without also considering the costs.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology and Transportation and Energy that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 113, H.D. 1 and recommend that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology and Transportation and Energy,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair