STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1732

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 113

       H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 113, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATES TO LOWER COSTS FOR CONSUMERS, CREATE MORE JOBS, AND REDUCE THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE ECONOMY BY REPLACING FOSSIL FUELS WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to call on the federal government and states to lower costs for consumers, create more jobs, and reduce the impacts of climate change on the economy by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from two individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Division of Consumer Advocacy, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

 

     Your Committee finds that human activity has caused an alarming increase in greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, which is primarily produced by the use of fossil fuels.  Between 1958 and 2017, atmospheric carbon dioxide increased by approximately thirty percent, resulting in a rapidly warming planet.  Climate change leads to rising sea levels, drought, and natural disasters, which impose great financial costs on federal, state, and local governments and ultimately taxpayers.  Accordingly, your Committee believes that residents in all states stand to benefit from a reduction in the carbon pollution that drives climate change.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 113, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair