HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	180
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

Supporting the production of local renewable energy.

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is overly dependent on the import of fossil fuels for electricity production and transportation fuel; and

     WHEREAS, petroleum fossil fuels provide over 60 percent of the state's electricity--far above the national average of four to six percent; and

     WHEREAS, a continued rise in oil prices will severely damage the state's economy and hurt tourism, Hawaii's primary industry; and

     WHEREAS, the use of liquid transportation fuels can be greatly reduced by constructing transportation infrastructure that uses electricity as its energy supply; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii possesses abundant untapped renewable energy resources, such as geothermal, wind, cellulosic biomass, solar, and hydroelectric power, which could supply all of the state's electricity needs as well as provide substantial quantities of transportation fuel, without sacrificing food sustainability for biofuel production and without adversely affecting Hawaii's fragile and unique environment; and

     WHEREAS, sustainably-used agricultural lands are an important resource for providing food and fuel, preserving open space, creating new industries, saving local jobs, and promoting the sustainability and food security of Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's geographic isolation makes it important for the state to pursue economic diversification and strive for self-sufficiency while still fulfilling its obligation to decrease carbon-dioxide emissions in the international effort against global warming; and

     WHEREAS, worldwide concerns about the environmentally harmful life-cycle impact of certain imported biofuels and biofuel feedstocks have led to a ban on such fuels and feedstock oils by major nations; and

     WHEREAS, the greatest benefit of the ban to the state--environmentally and economically--lies in the production of local renewable energy by locally owned businesses using local resources; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that the University of Hawaii (UH) is requested to research and develop a viable plan for the production and implementation of renewable energy sources and renewable energy technologies that will ensure the best use of local resources for biofuels in accordance with the availability of agricultural lands and the need to use such lands for food; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UH is requested to provide a report of its research and plans to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2011; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Executive Branch is urged to adopt a policy of actively promoting, by all feasible means, the construction of renewable-energy facilities on all levels--from systems in individual homes to larger non-utility-owned, independent power-producing plants; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Executive Branch is urged to adopt a policy of actively promoting electrified mass transit, the conservation of electrical energy, and the use of plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Executive Branch is urged to actively support local farmers, locally-owned biofuel processors, and local fuel distributors; provided that:

     (1)  Such support does not extend to imported oil feedstock or fuel; and

     (2)  Prime agricultural land should be retained for food production, on the condition that other agricultural lands may be used for biofuel production;

and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Production of local renewable energy