STAND. COM. REP. NO.93

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 506

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 506 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GEOTHERMAL ROYALTIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allocate $250,000 per year of all royalties received by the State from geothermal resources to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to be used for hydrogen research and development as an alternative energy source.

The Gas Company submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism supported the measure's intent. The Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources provided comments on this measure.

Your Committee finds that this measure recognizes Hawaii's potential as a platform for development of hydrogen technologies based on renewable energy resources such as geothermal. The State's recent successes of hydrogen initiatives in attracting non-state funding and internationally recognized projects and partners demonstrate the strength of the State's capabilities, assets, and commitment to a hydrogen energy future.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 506 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair