STAND. COM. REP. NO. 592

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1002

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1002 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AN ATMOSPHERIC CARBON CAPTURE PLANT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to direct the Hawaii State Energy Office, in conjunction with the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, to develop and submit an interim strategy report and final strategy report no later than forty days prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2024 and 2025, respectively, for the construction of at least one atmospheric carbon capture plant in the State by 2028.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from nine individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Hawaii State Energy Office, and one individual.

Your Committees find that the threat posed by climate change is of serious concern globally and to the State and proactive measures are needed to combat rising record high temperatures and more frequent incidences of extreme weather. Your Committees believe that, in addition to reducing carbon emissions through the use of renewable energy, the State must utilize carbon offsetting strategies and technologies, such as carbon capture technologies. This measure will allow the State to take additional climate action beyond the adoption of renewable energy and proactively help reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Adding legislative findings clarifying that the threat to the State posed by climate change, and the utilization of carbon offsetting strategies and technologies to limit global warming, are matters of statewide concern that fall under the Legislature's purview pursuant to article X, section 6, of the Hawaii State Constitution; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1002, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1002, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair