[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6034208,"mediaKeyId","5337457-6162ee3c6f1c4a0e57bc5143294f0efb","parentId",5337457,"title","House committee amends geothermal study to require nuclear energy feasibility working group; amendment passes","audioSeconds",131,"startMs",2776000,"endMs",2907000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5337457-6162ee3c6f1c4a0e57bc5143294f0efb&start=2776&end=2907","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5337457-6162ee3c6f1c4a0e57bc5143294f0efb/thumbnail_2776000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6034208/Hawaii/House-committee-amends-geothermal-study-to-require-nuclear-energy-feasibility-working-group-amendment-passes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034208-d24094ff8cf60f154bac279b6f731613/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961617&Signature=l~bQ7E71uaVzAW0IpPryOm5eU6l-27fzWp8zI3nhIPz~9ySNWW2nptBjj8N6rQB2tOmKkdZVumbcBxQws4PBqKylBLWlnLdXEoaDFXIInoTxWwqkcSML1lpKerGTbTNtN75BYpU4JeYqy1NZ2laHdj2NynCQ~XQQ7AIsSgi6tz60cGBj15gvJ4LqBur39dUEWhqz-vK0psQiuadZPJgR5pUFNsV6cGqhDP-t7YGI7xfCLhST4HCBFwoCCYBbyq0R4E0Y6eMx4wxXjxjDqmMHM7gyD1zBeP4q8EEY9t512Ur5Yaqwv0cwHn1aZwnG4kk3pXk99PrG-7DzqfT0x2ZSLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection","date","2025-04-11T07:43:45Z","article","The House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection on April 10 amended SCR 136 to change a proposed geothermal‑energy working group into a study convened by the Hawaii State Energy Office on the feasibility of advanced nuclear energy technologies.

The amendment adds two contextual whereas clauses that note Hawaii’s constitution requires prior approval by a two‑thirds vote of each house before construction of a nuclear fission plant or disposal of radioactive materials, and that nuclear energy is not currently included in Hawaii’s statutory definition of renewable energy under HRS 269‑91.

The change was offered during the committee hearing as a substantial rewrite to align with language from the house draft of SB 1558. Representative Peruso, serving as chair, introduced the amendment and asked members for discussion. The amendment language, as read into the record, directs the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a “nuclear energy working group to study the feasibility of using advanced nuclear power technologies in the state” and mirrors the contents of the House draft of SB 1558.

Members debated the contextual additions briefly. A member who identified themselves as opposed to nuclear energy said the new whereas clauses were important context but said they still opposed nuclear; that member voted with reservations.

The committee voted to pass SCR 136 SD 1 with amendments. The chair recorded an aye, the vice chair recorded a vote with reservations, Representative Kahalua and Representative Cush recorded ayes, and Representative Quinlan was noted as excused. The recommendation to pass with amendments was adopted.

The amendment does not itself authorize construction, funding, or siting; it directs the State Energy Office to convene a working group to study feasibility, and it adds constitutional and statutory context to inform that study.

The committee processed the change as part of an expedited hearing schedule; members noted time constraints earlier in the session because the room was needed for a training at 10 a.m.

Votes at the hearing were recorded on multiple measures; SCR 136 SD 1 was adopted with amendments as described.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","EEP Public Hearing - Thu Apr 10, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST","oneSentenceSummary","The House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection on April 10 amended SCR 136 to direct the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a working group to study the feasibility of advanced nuclear energy technologies in the state.","taxTitle","House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, House of Representatives, Legislative , Hawaii","taxId",25713,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6034193,"Committee advances a package of environmental and climate resolutions; votes at a glance",2195,774000,2969000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5337457-6162ee3c6f1c4a0e57bc5143294f0efb&start=774&end=2969","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5337457-6162ee3c6f1c4a0e57bc5143294f0efb/thumbnail_774000.jpg","/articles/6034193/Hawaii/Committee-advances-a-package-of-environmental-and-climate-resolutions-votes-at-a-glance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034193-05dd7d256c89f581373ca51a8bb778c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961617&Signature=e3LJoho8hrAmsf3vTGHs928VoYknwZuwucDu6mnIrQw2X9sc0KxlrA2Aw6e5JAUR2u5fkk67yRwq6AYRT-gijdqkg36K3QLE-w-2JPfeWGQXAZ0lEuZAvcJq--sZT~Dy3ryLQD1~GSNQCGxetAOkOhX7eR1RcYMViyXUzQni~nhCYJoeV22iBAW0W6Kk1fL9mmin-2ADi5ClCO8X9gSzsTHnwylc10NzYkVZjgVEqPb55qNUznvM62ACrRjttyO8vu5pgQmRrqRi8zy2LhI9q6e6E~glACa2e4JX4Eeckbx8WHwFzubBi1M9MyHRuuvhUzSzQpykz1WdoNZ6h7zRvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection on April 10 heard testimony and recommended passage on a series of Senate concurrent resolutions addressing climate, water, marine ecosystems and island sustainability. Most measures were recommended to pass unamended; SCR 115 was passed with a single amendment to its final whereas clause.

Key measures and committee recommendations (votes at a glance):

• SCR 93 SD 1 — Integrating indigenous knowledge into climate policy: Chair recommended passage; chair and vice chair voted aye; Representative Kahaloha and Representative Kush voted aye; Representative Quinlan excused. Recommendation adopted.

• SCR 103 SD 1 — Create temporary working group to investigate PFAS dangers: Board of Water Supply testified in support; recommendation to pass unamended adopted.

• SCR 110 SD 1 — Request State Energy Office study feasibility of a green bonds program: Hawaii State Energy Office provided comments; recommendation to pass unamended adopted.

• SCR 115 SD 1 — Affirm the importance of marine ecosystems for decarbonization: Department of Land and Natural Resources provided comments; the committee amended the final whereas clause to add fresh and brackish wetlands to the list of crucial ecosystems, then voted to pass with that amendment.

• SCR 132 SD 1 — Encourage adoption of UN Global Plastics Treaty and Rapa Nui Summit recommendations: Testimony in support from several groups; recommendation to pass unamended adopted.

• SCR 183 SD 1 — Reaffirm support for the Aloha Plus Challenge: Multiple proponents including Hawaii Green Growth and student delegates from a Pacific sustainability conference testified in support; recommendation to pass unamended adopted.

For each of the above, the committee accepted written and in‑person testimony from state agencies, nonprofits and individuals. Several measures drew unanimous or near‑unanimous committee recommendations to pass; Representative Quinlan was repeatedly noted as excused. The committee moved its calendar expeditiously because the hearing room was needed at 10 a.m.

Below are the formal actions recorded at the hearing for these measures.","The House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection considered a slate of Senate concurrent resolutions on April 10 — covering indigenous knowledge, PFAS, green bonds, marine ecosystems, plastics treaty recommendations, and the Aloha Plus Challenge — and moved most forward, with one amendment to SCR 115.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6034199,"Committee backs resolution urging insurers to pursue subrogation against polluters to reduce local premiums",468,2494000,2962000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5337457-6162ee3c6f1c4a0e57bc5143294f0efb&start=2494&end=2962","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5337457-6162ee3c6f1c4a0e57bc5143294f0efb/thumbnail_2494000.jpg","/articles/6034199/Hawaii/Committee-backs-resolution-urging-insurers-to-pursue-subrogation-against-polluters-to-reduce-local-premiums","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034199-fd1305fe7dcb05cd5d04f49f494ad9f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961617&Signature=AJMRgZcXEaoeQAXT0Zw9xvL2lrkfNO1nwOziXvLN13h0~EEv8LgMhB7eRU1gKWUfO-sWiLEYgq49-lXpj2MRkYYMkkiaehXd~Mz1TeNy1gf1~U5bceiU63IWlrrR828UQHFGYqSzOoK9kkL91RUjKQtusd9RpU4opcXknK03J6CjAuwdkvivi4Xlc9TtA74RBY8R1lmaCKP7ORiByc8rNKIAhMxpt5RXeVvDl-GJP~sJBv~LuGkX7cPzeF35mQGS3CgWMZVWvhpoGC3rVSqaLTNNFqQ-Xs3SDFZnI~MfoyFEn9gx22w1z7TpPNNEYBp0HOwJ~KSdpU0e-BW2RmqouA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection on April 10 recommended passage of SCR 198 SD 1, a resolution encouraging Hawaii insurers and the Property Insurance Association of Hawaii to pursue segregation and subrogation claims against polluters as a way to reduce insurance costs for residents.

Josh Stanborough of the Center for Climate Integrity testified in strong support and tied the measure to economic risk following the Lahaina disaster, saying the climate crisis “really boils down to risk and economics” and arguing that holding polluters financially responsible could help stabilize insurance markets.

Stanborough also said some scientists who dispute mainstream climate findings were funded by fossil fuel interests; he said the resolution “goes a fair bit to making them pay rather than just, sort of accusing them of something.”

The committee recorded a recommendation to pass SCR 198 SD 1 unamended; the chair and vice chair voted aye and Representative Quinlan was noted as excused. The committee’s adoption advances the resolution for further legislative consideration but does not itself change insurance law or compel insurers to pursue claims.

The resolution is a formal request to insurers and industry associations to consider legal avenues that could offset climate‑related costs borne by policyholders; it does not appropriate funds or create enforcement mechanisms.","SCR 198 SD 1 asks Hawaii insurers and the Property Insurance Association to pursue segregation and subrogation claims against polluters to offset costs to residents; the committee voted to pass the resolution after proponents linked subrogation to stabilizing insurance markets following the Lahaina disaster.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6034203,"House committee advances resolution declaring climate change a public‑health emergency; supporters and opponents testify",1666,1037000,2703000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5337457-6162ee3c6f1c4a0e57bc5143294f0efb&start=1037&end=2703","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5337457-6162ee3c6f1c4a0e57bc5143294f0efb/thumbnail_1037000.jpg","/articles/6034203/Hawaii/House-committee-advances-resolution-declaring-climate-change-a-publichealth-emergency-supporters-and-opponents-testify","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034203-5f08741d2c78f80e677e402795825e32/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961617&Signature=NlZtB90q57GCfoYlpoR~06Nw01PV1HyamDn6xvnT1mooUHIugY47cOoHcGA-CBbFhTULKluYCcVgfQ0q2x-pzQLp7WXOlIyJdDklEBBS3sCOm1BS0D3Rx9YPo0Y6ZHdDQpTErb2silU87DEBadXW3eXf6MCEFCTvkS6CU3iBbstzn2bFD46cwElS2Q8dJKghYJM6js51CwMkCybSzV0RRwQW4w6Jxs2L4FWL0hsCBwmiabsFc9sa-TeaPpGYIvmoNSe9bWjTphRJTQbb~dRo3gzDBu-nsDQLjyP8CnFqypamJyJGaZuJchv-Pf1SitdqbRLeb4ttLuTeCSPUZL3I8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection on April 10 recommended passage of SCR 111, a resolution that declares a public‑health emergency related to climate change and calls for cross‑sector action to strengthen the public‑health response.

Supporters, including members of the Climate Change and Health Working Group and medical professionals, told the committee the resolution is necessary to coordinate responses and prepare for health impacts from heat, pollution and extreme weather. Emily Werner, testifying for the Climate Change and Health Working Group, said, “The health of our earth is directly linked to the health of our public.” Werner identified the working group as a mix of “medical professionals, academics, scientists, students, and teachers spanning across the state.”

Dr. Elizabeth Kiefer, a physician and faculty member at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, testified in support as an individual and addressed concerns raised at a prior hearing that declaring a climate health emergency would dilute other emergencies. Kiefer said, “Climate change is a threat multiplier. It does not dilute. It amplifies.” She urged the committee to pass the resolution so state departments would coordinate planning to strengthen the health response.

The committee also received opposition testimony. Several opponents filed written comments and a small group spoke against the resolution, citing skepticism about the scientific basis for declaring a climate‑related public‑health emergency; one remote testifier referenced named scientists who dispute mainstream climate findings.

Committee members recorded the recommendation to pass SCR 111 SD 1 unamended; the motion was adopted with the chair and vice chair voting aye and Representative Quinlan noted as excused. The committee’s action advances the resolution for further legislative consideration.

The resolution is nonbinding policy guidance directing state agencies to coordinate planning and does not itself appropriate funds or impose regulatory changes.","SCR 111, which declares a public‑health emergency relating to climate change and calls for cross‑sector solutions, received testimony from public‑health advocates and dissenting commenters; the committee recommended passage unamended.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House committee amends geothermal study to require nuclear energy feasibility working group; amendment passes

Committee advances a package of environmental and climate resolutions; votes at a glance

Committee backs resolution urging insurers to pursue subrogation against polluters to reduce local premiums

House committee advances resolution declaring climate change a public‑health emergency; supporters and opponents testify