HI SCR173

Urges the State of Hawaii to provide permanent staffing and funding for the Hawaii State Energy Office within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Identifies the Hawaii State Energy Office as the lead state agency responsible for implementing the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, which supports energy independence from imported fossil fuels.

Notes that the Office is currently entirely funded by federal sources: the Petroleum Violation Fund and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act moneys that expire by the end of the next fiscal year.

States that dedicated state funding is necessary for the Office to meet energy system requirements and maintain federal participation in the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative.

Directs transmission of the resolution to the Governor, Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Director of Finance, and Director of Taxation.