STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1732

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   S.C.R. No. 44

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 44, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DECLARING A CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND REQUESTING STATEWIDE COLLABORATION TOWARD AN IMMEDIATE JUST TRANSITION AND EMERGENCY MOBILIZATION EFFORT TO RESTORE A SAFE CLIMATE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to declare a climate emergency and request statewide collaboration toward an immediate just transition and emergency mobilization effort to restore a safe climate.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Office of Planning, City and County of Honolulu Board of Water Supply, one member of the Maui County Council, one member of the Hawaii County Council, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Climate Coalition, The Climate Mobilization, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Americans for Democratic Action, Sustainable Energy Hawaii, Big Island Electric Vehicle Association, Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association, Clean the Pacific, Our Revolution Hawaii, 350Hawaii.org, Surfrider Foundation Hawaii Region, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Kauai Women's Caucus, Climate Protectors Coalition, Zero Waste Kauai, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, Pono Hawaii Initiative, HI Strikes Back, Surfrider Foundation Kauai, Mālama Kauai, Community Coalition Kauai, Wailua-Kapaa Neighborhood Association, Citizens' Climate Lobby Hawaii, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Think B.I.G., and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and Hawaiian Electric Company.

 

     Your Committee finds that a rise in the average global air temperature has resulted in larger and stronger hurricanes, increased drought and flooding, shifting rain patterns, more and larger wildfires, a hotter and more acidic ocean, and damaged ecosystems, both marine and terrestrial, across the planet.  This measure highlights the urgency and importance of statewide collaboration to mitigate the effects of climate change in the State.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Deleting certain provisions relating to the requested climate mitigation and adaptation efforts to restore a safe climate; and

 

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

 

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 44, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 44, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair