STAND. COM. REP. NO. 21

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 964

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 964 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WASTE-TO-ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Hawaii State Energy Office to establish a public‑private partnership to develop a waste-to-energy generating facility in each county having a population below eight hundred thousand.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from five individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one member of the Kauaʻi County Council, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, Americans for Democratic Action Hawaiʻi, Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi, Energy Justice Network, 350Hawaii, Waihu O Puna Watershed Coalition, Surfrider Foundation Kauai Chapter, Recycle Hawaii, Clean the Pacific, Hawaii Environmental Change Agents' Solid Waste Reduction Task Force, and thirty-one individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office and Hawaiian Electric.

Your Committee finds that using waste-to-energy technology is a promising strategy for reducing the State's solid waste stream and increasing energy production. Your Committee acknowledges the concerns raised in testimony regarding the risks of solid waste incineration, but notes that this measure should continue as a vehicle through the legislative process to seek to relieve the State's need for landfill space while also helping the State reach its ambitious renewable energy goals. Your Committee further notes that engaging with private partners to fund a waste-to-energy generating facility would positively leverage state resources and facilitate collaboration to address the State's landfill crisis and non-renewable energy dependence.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Authorizing, rather than requiring, the Hawaii State Energy Office to establish a public‑private partnership to develop a waste-to-energy generating facility in each county having a population below eight hundred thousand; 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 and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 964, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 964, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs,

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair