STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1670

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.C.R. No. 35

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 35 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTEGRATED HAWAII PACIFIC HYDROGEN HUB,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support the Hawaii State Energy Office in the establishment of an integrated Hawaii Pacific Hydrogen Hub.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; University of Hawai‘i System; Hawaii State Energy Office; Servco Pacific Inc.; Hawai‘i Gas; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes funding to establish six to ten regional clean hydrogen hubs across the United States to be a central driver in helping communities benefit from clean energy investments, good-paying jobs, and improved energy security. Your Committee further finds that the State was encouraged to proceed to a full application for its integrated Hawaii Pacific Hydrogen Hub for the United States Department of Energy Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs funding opportunity. This measure supports the efforts of the Hawaii State Energy Office to establish a Hawaii Pacific Hydrogen Hub to provide economic vitality and greater energy security for the people of Hawaii and the Pacific region.

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. 35 and recommends its adoption.

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

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NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair