STAND. COM. REP. NO. 682

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1588

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1588, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NUCLEAR ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish within the Hawaii State Energy Office a nuclear energy task force to study the feasibility of using advanced nuclear power technologies in the State.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Sustainable Energy Hawaii and six individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, 350 Hawaii, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office and one individual.

Your Committee finds that nuclear energy has been used in the United States for the last sixty years and is the largest domestic source of clean, carbon-free energy. Your Committee further finds that nuclear energy is one of the most reliable energy sources in the nation and emits no greenhouse gases. Accordingly, nuclear energy may be a promising alternative to fossil fuels for energy generation and could help the State achieve its clean energy goals. Your Committee recognizes that a task force to further study the feasibility of using advanced nuclear power technologies in the State may better inform the Legislature about uses for this potential clean energy source.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1588, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair