STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1142

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 683

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 683, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a sustainable aviation fuel program that provides matching grants to any small business in Hawaii that is developing products related to sustainable aviation fuel or products that would otherwise reduce greenhouse gasses from commercial aviation operations.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Hawaii Bioeconomy Trade Organization, Airlines for America, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and nine individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.

Your Committees find that tourism is the number one driver of Hawaii's economy and that over ninety-five percent of visitors to the State arrive by airplane. Nearly one-third of the energy consumed in the State is from jet fuel, which is one of the largest sources of Hawaii's greenhouse gas emissions. The availability of sustainable aviation fuel will be key to reducing global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Hawaii is well positioned to develop solutions and build upon the success of the federal Green Initiative for Sustainable Fuels Transition Pacific (GIFTPAC), which was based in Hawaii from 2009 to 2019, and to continue to be a leader in the promotion of sustainable aviation fuels. This measure will help local businesses innovate to overcome the challenges of greenhouse gas emissions from commercial air travel.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 683, H.D. 2, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair