STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1671

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.R. No. 20

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.R. No. 20 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO ENGAGE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT PRESENCE WITHIN THE STATE OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Hawaii State Energy Office to engage the United States Department of Energy to establish a permanent presence within the State of Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Hawaii State Energy Office; and Hawaiian Electric.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii has established itself as a global leader on energy policy by committing to certain clean energy and climate change-related goals. Your Committee further finds that the United States Department of Energy has a long-established presence in Hawaii through collaboration among its various offices and national laboratories with state and county agencies, the private sector, and local communities. This measure would continue to transform Hawaii's energy system through collaboration by promoting clean energy in the State and throughout the Indo-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.R. No. 20 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair