Report Title:

Alternative Energy Sources; Biofuel

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to support the creation of a Biofuel Research Institute at the University of Hawaii's College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1863

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

Relating to alternative energy resources.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The University of Hawaii's college of agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management is partnering with environmental research institutions, private businesses, and landowners on the island of Hawaii in a joint venture to study the propagation and use of the oil palm (elaensis guieensis) and the shrub (jatropha curcas).  The goal of this venture is to create a highly efficient, marketable, and agriculturally based resource for the production of biofuel to stem Hawaii's high dependence on imported fuel.

     The island of Hawaii is an ideal location for such an agricultural project of this nature.  It has large tracts of land to support agriculture, a climate similar to that in which elaensis and the jatropha thrive, and a proven history of the ability to support nut and fern plants.

     Elaensis guieensis and jatropha curcas plants offer unsurpassed efficiency in their favorable ratio of land usage to oil production.  They hold the potential to yield a much greater profit, and use less land area than other proposed biofuel crop sources.  These plants produce hundreds of gallons of oil per acre that can be used to create biofuel.  The byproducts of this process can also be used for fish and cattle feed, or fertilizer to support a diverse and strong agricultural industry in the state and create hundreds if not thousands of job opportunities.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to support the creation of a biofuel research institute at the University of Hawaii's college of agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management to study and investigate the potential and the possible introduction of agricultural-based, economically-viable, and renewable energy sources to the State of Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 for the creation of a biofuel research institute at the University of Hawaii's college of agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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