| 29 | | - | WHEREAS, the United States is the world's largest producer of nuclear power, and according to statistics from the United States Department of Energy, nearly one-fifth of the nation's electricity comes from nuclear power; and WHEREAS, in 2023, domestic nuclear power plants generated seven hundred seventy-five billion kilowatt hours of electricity, enough to power over seventy-two million homes, and in the same year, nuclear energy also provided forty-eight percent of carbon-free electricity in the United States; and WHEREAS, nuclear energy can provide a source of firm and reliable power that can replace imported fossil fuels; and WHEREAS, nuclear energy is one of the most reliable energy sources in the nation, with plants designed to run twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and requiring less maintenance to operate for longer stretches; and WHEREAS, as Hawaii progresses towards achieving its 2045 renewable energy goals, it is important to consider the feasibility of all energy options so that the State can determine if these energy sources should be pursued or not, and focus efforts accordingly; and WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Constitution contains a provision that no nuclear fission power plant shall be constructed or radioactive material disposed of in the State without prior approval by a two-thirds vote in each house of the Legislature; and WHEREAS, nuclear energy is not currently included in the definition of renewable energy in section 269-91, Hawaii Revised Statutes; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Hawaii State Energy Office is requested to convene a Nuclear Energy Working Group to study the feasibility of using advanced nuclear power technologies in the State; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of the following members: (1) The Chief Energy Officer, or the Chief Energy Officer's designee, who is requested to serve as chair of the working group; (2) The Director of Health, or the Director's designee; (3) The Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, or the Chairperson's designee; (4) The Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives standing committees with primary subject matter purview over energy, or the Chairs' designees; (5) A representative from the Public Utilities Commission, to be appointed by the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission; and (6) A representative from the University of Hawaii with expertise in nuclear energy, to be appointed by the President of the University of Hawaii; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chair of the working group is requested to invite the following individuals to serve as members of the working group: (1) A representative from the United States Navy with expertise in nuclear energy; (2) A representative from a public utility that provides energy; (3) A representative with expertise in nuclear energy generation or nuclear waste disposal; and (4) A representative from an environmental organization; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to: (1) Study the feasibility of using advanced nuclear power technologies in the State; (2) Evaluate the benefits, risks, and barriers to developing and using advanced nuclear power technologies in the State, including regulatory, statutory, financial, social, and environmental factors; and (3) Identify potential short-term and long-term nuclear energy goals for the State; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii State Energy Office is requested to submit a report of the working group's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chief of Naval Operations of the United States Navy; Governor; Chief Energy Officer; Director of Health; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission; and President of the University of Hawaii. |
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| 45 | + | WHEREAS, the United States is the world's largest producer of nuclear power, and according to statistics from the United States Department of Energy, nearly one-fifth of the nation's electricity comes from nuclear power; and WHEREAS, in 2023, domestic nuclear power plants generated seven hundred seventy-five billion kilowatt hours of electricity, enough to power over seventy-two million homes, and in the same year, nuclear energy also provided forty-eight percent of carbon-free electricity in the United States; and WHEREAS, nuclear energy can provide a source of firm and reliable power that can replace imported fossil fuels; and WHEREAS, nuclear energy is one of the most reliable energy sources in the nation, with plants designed to run twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and requiring less maintenance to operate for longer stretches; and WHEREAS, as Hawaii progresses towards achieving its 2045 renewable energy goals, it is important to consider the feasibility of all energy options so that the State can determine if these energy sources should be pursued or not, and focus efforts accordingly; and WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Constitution contains a provision that no nuclear fission power plant shall be constructed or radioactive material disposed of in the State without prior approval by a two-thirds vote in each house of the Legislature; and WHEREAS, nuclear energy is not currently included in the definition of renewable energy in section 269-91, Hawaii Revised Statutes; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Hawaii State Energy Office is requested to convene a Nuclear Energy Working Group to study the feasibility of using advanced nuclear power technologies in the State; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of the following members: (1) The Chief Energy Officer, or the Chief Energy Officer's designee, who is requested to serve as chair of the working group; (2) The Director of Health, or the Director's designee; (3) The Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, or the Chairperson's designee; (4) The Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives standing committees with primary subject matter purview over energy, or the Chairs' designees; (5) A representative from the Public Utilities Commission, to be appointed by the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission; and (6) A representative from the University of Hawaii with expertise in nuclear energy, to be appointed by the President of the University of Hawaii; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chair of the working group is requested to invite the following individuals to serve as members of the working group: (1) A representative from the United States Navy with expertise in nuclear energy; (2) A representative from a public utility that provides energy; (3) A representative with expertise in nuclear energy generation or nuclear waste disposal; and (4) A representative from an environmental organization; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to: (1) Study the feasibility of using advanced nuclear power technologies in the State; (2) Evaluate the benefits, risks, and barriers to developing and using advanced nuclear power technologies in the State, including regulatory, statutory, financial, social, and environmental factors; and (3) Identify potential short-term and long-term nuclear energy goals for the State; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii State Energy Office is requested to submit an interim report of the working group's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026 and a final report no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chief of Naval Operations of the United States Navy; Governor; Chief Energy Officer; Director of Health; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission; and President of the University of Hawaii. |
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