Urging The State To Reject Energy Sources Found To Be Harmful Or Destabilizing To Our Climate System And Environment And To Commit To Renewable Energy And The Values Of Hawaii's Residents.
HCR210 aligns with Hawaii's existing environmental policies and builds upon its prior declaration of a climate emergency in 2021. The resolution specifically discourages commitments to new fossil fuel projects, especially those involving liquefied natural gas (LNG), which have been identified as significant sources of harmful methane emissions. If implemented, the resolution could potentially alter the trajectory of energy infrastructure development in Hawaii. It calls for a shift towards cleaner, locally-managed energy solutions which could contribute to economic growth through job creation in renewable energy sectors while simultaneously addressing environmental degradation and health concerns linked to fossil fuel extraction methods like hydraulic fracturing (fracking).
HCR210 is a House Concurrent Resolution introduced in the Thirty-third Legislature of Hawaii in 2025. The resolution aims to urge the state to reject energy sources that are deemed harmful or destabilizing to both the climate system and the environment, calling instead for a commitment to renewable energy sources that are in alignment with the values of Hawaii's residents. Given the current climate crisis, the resolution highlights the urgency for bold action to transition Hawaii's economy off fossil fuels and towards sustainable energy solutions. It emphasizes that the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events, threaten the livelihoods and cultures of Indigenous peoples and all residents of Hawaii.
Proponents of HCR210 point to scientific consensus that supports the transition from fossil fuels, arguing that new fossil fuel investments would undermine efforts to combat climate change and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The resolution acknowledges the devastating environmental and health risks associated with LNG and fracking, including environmental destruction and health hazards that disproportionately affect local communities. Critics, however, may raise concerns about the economic implications of moving away from traditional energy sources and the practicality of establishing a fully renewable energy grid within the state's timeframe. Overall, HCR210 seeks to navigate the complexities of energy needs while prioritizing the health of the climate and the people of Hawaii.