STAND. COM. REP. NO.  572

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

 

RE:   H.B. No. 646

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 646, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to sponsor the Blue Planet Festival and a conference to promote energy resources and technology and to discuss global and local energy issues.

 

     Your Committee received supporting testimony from Juniroa Productions Inc., Liquid Planet Studios, Sunny Hawaii, Hawaii Energy Policy Forum, a representative of a local law firm, and numerous supportive individuals.  The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism supported the intent of the measure.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Blue Planet Festival is a public-private partnership that promotes the use of clean energy through education, technology, and musical entertainment.  The Blue Planet Festival will bring world-class entertainers to join local musicians at an event powered entirely by clean energy sources.  The event also includes an energy conference of government, industry, non-governmental organizations, and scientific leaders to:

 

     (1)  Address local and global energy issues;

 

 

     (2)  Showcase and display the latest in energy technology; and

 

     (3)  Provide an educational component to inform and inspire Hawaii residents, especially students, about the positive impact of, and the crucial need for, clean energy resources and technology.

 

     Your Committee also finds that the Hawaii Tourism Authority is funding $50,000 of the cost of the festival and the amount requested for this measure is $500,000.

 

     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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 646, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair