STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1130

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1333

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 1333, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Hawaii State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Health, to conduct a comprehensive study to determine the best practices for the disposal and recycling of discarded clean energy products in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office.

Your Committee finds that solar panels have a life expectancy of up to thirty years, and panels installed in the 1990s will require disposal in the very near future. Heavy metals such as cadmium and lead are found in solar cells, which can harm the natural environment if not recycled or disposed of properly. This measure ensures that the best practices for proper disposal and recycling of discarded clean energy products can be adopted to prevent excess waste and harm to the environment.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1333, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair