SCR97

WHEREAS, the transportation sector significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, and renewable liquid fuels offer a viable solution to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions across various modes of transportation, including aviation; and

WHEREAS, several states, including California, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington, have enacted legislation to encourage the production and utilization of renewable liquid fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel; and

WHEREAS, the State is heavily dependent on various modes of transportation for tourism, commerce, and inter-island travel, is particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, and has a vested interest in fostering a comprehensive, diverse portfolio of renewable liquid fuels; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature acknowledged the critical role of incentivizing and accelerating the production of renewable liquid fuels by enacting the Renewable Fuels Production Tax Credit in Act 202, Session Laws of Hawaii 2016; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Energy Office's Hawaiʻi 2023 Pathways to Decarbonization report to the Legislature highlights the need to increase the use of renewable liquid fuels in order for the State to achieve its goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions; and

WHEREAS, establishing a working group to explore how to best facilitate and incentivize the production of a range of renewable liquid fuels in Hawaii could provide valuable insights and recommendations for promoting the adoption and development of this critical sector; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Hawaii State Energy Office is requested to convene a Renewable Liquid Fuels Working Group to study local production, development, and incentives for renewable liquid fuels; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of the following members who shall select one of them to serve as Chairperson:

(1) A member of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

(2) A member of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(3) The Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, or the Chairperson's designee;

(4) The Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, or the Chairperson's designee;

(5) The Director of Transportation, or the Director's designee;

(6) The Chief Energy Officer, or the Chief Energy Officer's designee; and

(7) The President of the University of Hawaii, or the President's designee; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairperson of the working group is requested to invite the following individuals to participate in the working group:

(1) A representative from the Hawaii Farm Bureau;

(2) A representative from Airlines for America;

(3) A representative from Hawaiian Electric;

(4) A representative from Hawaii Gas;

(5) A representative from the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative;

(6) A representative from local feedstock producers;

(7) A representative from local fuel producers; and

(8) A representative from a non-profit organization with a focus on climate change mitigation, environmental sustainability, or renewable energy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to:

(1) Facilitate the local production of renewable liquid fuels, including renewable diesel, naphtha, and sustainable aviation fuels;

(2) Identify potential feedstock and production technologies suitable for production and use within the State;

(3) Evaluate existing and potential new tax incentives for the development and utilization of renewable liquid fuels in Hawaii; and

(4) Evaluate the adoption of a clean fuel standard to incentivize the use of renewable liquid fuels; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to meet no less than twice a year; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit to the Governor and Legislature:

(1) A report providing an update of its work and progress no later than December 1, 2025; and

(2) A final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than December 1, 2026; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Director of Transportation; Chief Energy Officer; President of the University of Hawaii; Executive Director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau; President and Chief Executive Officer of Airlines for America; President and Chief Executive Officer of Hawaiian Electric; Chief Executive Officer of Hawaii Gas; and Chief Executive Officer of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Renewable Liquid Fuels; Working Group

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	97
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII