STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3568
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.C.R. No. 126
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2024
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 126 entitled:
"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO INCREASE THE STATE'S USAGE OF BIODIESEL AND TO FUND PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BIODIESEL INDUSTRY,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The
purpose and intent of this measure is to encourage the Department of Agriculture and
Hawaii State Energy Office to increase the State's usage of biodiesel and to
fund programs that support the development of the biodiesel industry.
Your Committees
received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Farm
Bureau; Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, LLC; and three individuals.
Your Committees
received testimony in opposition of this measure from Life of the Land.
Your Committees
received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii
State Energy Office, and one individual.
Your Committees find
that biodiesel is a safe and sustainable alternative to petroleum-based fuels
and that byproducts of its production can be used as livestock feed and in
food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.
Your Committees further find that the establishment of a single
biodiesel refinery in the State would generate millions in revenue, hundreds of
jobs, and additional opportunities for agricultural research. This measure supports the growth of local
agriculture and energy sectors and thereby the economic diversity and
resiliency of the State.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 126 and recommend its adoption.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,
________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair |
|
________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair |
|
|
|