STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3913

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 213

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 213, H.D. 2, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO CONVENE A RENEWABLE LIQUID FUELS WORKING GROUP TO STUDY LOCAL PRODUCTION, DEVELOPMENT, AND INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLE LIQUID FUELS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a Renewable Liquid Fuels Working Group to study local production, development, and incentives for renewable liquid fuels.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office; Airlines Committee of Hawaii, Inc.; Neste; Pono Pacific Land Management, LLC; Hawaiian Airlines; Hawaiʻi Gas; Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, LLC; Par Hawaii; Airlines for America; Island Energy Services; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the transportation sector significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, and renewable liquid fuels offer a viable solution to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions across various modes of transportation, including aviation. Your Committee further finds that the State is heavily dependent on various modes of transportation for tourism, commerce, and inter-island travel; is particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change; and has a vested interest in fostering a comprehensive, diverse portfolio of renewable liquid fuels. This measure establishes a Renewable Liquid Fuels Working Group to explore how to best facilitate and incentivize the production of a range of renewable liquid fuels in the State and to provide valuable insights and recommendations for promoting the adoption and development of this critical sector.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language requesting that a representative of the Airlines Committee of Hawaii be invited to participate in the Renewable Liquid Fuels Working Group; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 213, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 213, H.D. 2, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

LYNN DECOITE, Chair