STAND. COM. REP. 3182

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: S.C.R. No. 169

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 169 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEAWATER AIR CONDITIONING/ THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM BY HONOLULU SEAWATER AIR CONDITIONING LLC FOR USE ON THE ISLAND OF OAHU,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Accounting and General Services to assist Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning LLC in conducting a study to determine the feasibility of implementing the Seawater Air Conditioning/Thermal Energy Storage District Cooling System for use in state facilities.

This measure also finds that the development of the Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning project in downtown Honolulu, using the Seawater Air Conditioning/Thermal Energy Storage System in state facilities, would help the State achieve its goals of increasing energy efficiency, decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, and shifting to an efficient and renewable energy.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning LLC.

Hawaii's energy needs are more than ninety percent dependent on imported fossil fuels, the majority of which is foreign oil. Act 77, Session Laws of Hawaii 2002, requires state agencies to not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption levels, but also increase the State's reliance on efficient and renewable energy sources. Your Committee finds that the Seawater Air Conditioning/Thermal Energy Storage System will not only reduce Hawaii's reliance on fossil fuels, but also minimize the use of toxic chemicals, such as refrigerants, as well as reduce potable water use by eliminating the need for cooling towers.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 169 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair