STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1570-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.R. No. 41

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.R. No. 41 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO ENGAGE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT PRESENCE WITHIN THE STATE OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Hawaii State Energy Office to engage the United States Department of Energy to establish a permanent presence within the State of Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii State Energy Office; Hawaiian Electric Company; Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; Hawai‘i Gas; Pacific International Center for High Technology Research; and Alexander & Baldwin.

Your Committee finds that the United States Department of Energy has a long-established presence in Hawaii through collaboration among its various offices and national laboratories with state and county agencies, the private sector, and local communities. Establishing a permanent presence for the United States Department of Energy in the State would further strengthen collaborative efforts to promote clean energy in the State and throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 41 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair