STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1326

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.C.R. No. 67

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 67 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DECLARING A CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND REQUESTING STATEWIDE COLLABORATION TOWARD AN IMMEDIATE JUST TRANSITION AND EMERGENCY MOBILIZATION EFFORT TO RESTORE A SAFE CLIMATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to declare a climate emergency and request statewide collaboration toward an immediate just transition and emergency mobilization effort to restore a safe climate.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning, two members of the Hawai‘i County Council, one member of the Maui County Council, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Clean the Pacific, Hawai‘i Youth Climate Coalition, Sustainable Energy Hawai‘i, Citizens' Climate Lobby Hawaii, Big Island Electric Vehicle Association, Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Malu ‘Aina, Our Revolution Hawaii, Foresight/Policy Analysis, 350Hawaii.org, Surfrider Foundation Hawai‘i Region, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Kaua‘i Women's Caucus, Climate Protectors Coalition, Zero Waste Kaua‘i, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, Pono Hawai‘i Initiative, HI Strikes Back, Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i, Mālama Kaua‘i, Community Coalition Kaua‘i, Wailua-Kapa‘a Neighborhood Association, The Climate Mobilization, Environmental Justice Task Force of Faith Action for Community Equity, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Clean Power Alliance, and Hawai‘i Gas.

Your Committee finds that the rise in the average global air temperature has resulted in larger and stronger hurricanes, increased drought and flooding, shifting rain patterns, more and larger wildfires, a hotter and more acidic ocean, and damaged ecosystems, both marine and terrestrial, across the planet. This measure highlights the urgency and importance of statewide collaboration to mitigate the effects of climate change in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting certain provisions relating to the requested climate mitigation adaptation efforts to restore a safe climate; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 67, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 67, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair