STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1532

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.R. No. 136

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.R. No. 136, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS STRATEGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the President of the Senate to establish a working group to discuss strategies for the development and expansion of geothermal energy and technology.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Indigenous Consultants, LLC.  Written comments in opposition to this measure were received from two individuals.  Written comments on this measure were received from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

 

     Your Committee finds that the State needs a sound, comprehensive strategy to ensure that geothermal energy is developed in an economically feasible manner that protects public health, the environment, and cultural rights.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

(1)  Requesting the Governor, rather than the President of the Senate, to establish the working group and select the representatives of the geothermal industry and the affected community in the County of Hawaii;

 

(2)  Deleting the request to have the President of the Senate make a designated conference room in the State Capitol available to the working group; and

 

(3)  Amending the title of the measure to reflect the amended purpose.

 

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 136, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 136, S.D. 2.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair