STAND. COM. REP. NO.86

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 492

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy and Environment and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 492 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN STATE FACILITIES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to help launch energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in state facilities, including sea water air conditioning, wind energy, solar thermal technologies, and photovoltaic systems.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Hawaiian Electric Company and its subsidiary utilities, Hawaii Electric Light Company and Maui Electric Company, the Gas Company, and the Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance.

Your Committees find that though the State is committed to increasing the use of renewable energy resources and energy efficiency, the initial project costs and availability of funds are often major obstacles to their realization. The issuance of general obligation bonds will encourage and accelerate the implementation of energy-efficient projects in state-owned buildings.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Environment and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 492 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Environment and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations,

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CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair

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J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair