Pacific Biodiesel
renewable · sustainable · community-based
YOUR TESTIMONY IS URGENTLY NEEDED! 
We need your immediate SUPPORT for Hawaii Senate Bill 2019 (SB 2019 SD1)  
Written testimony due by 10am on Thursday, February 22
Aloha, friends of Pacific Biodiesel and supporters of biofuels for a cleaner, greener Hawaii!

We need your immediate SUPPORT on Senate Bill 2019 (SB 2019 SD1) that establishes a biofuel content requirement for all on-road transportation fuel sold in Hawaii.
 
In the 2018 State of Hawaii Legislative Session, Senator Lorraine Inouye introduced SB 2019 that:
  • Requires on-road fuel sold in the State to contain no less than ten per cent biofuel by volume. 
  • Amends definition of "biofuels" to include ethanol and biodiesel.
Click here to read SB 2019 SD1.

Biodiesel is currently used in all types of diesel engines  without modification including those in a wide range of trucks, buses and passenger vehicles.
 
Biofuels are beneficial to Hawaii! Our state is the most petroleum-dependent state in the nation - and transportation accounts for nearly two-thirds of the state's fossil fuel consumption. Government support helps biofuels maintain competitiveness as compared to the highly subsidized and mature petroleum industry. The economic benefits of biofuels - including our locally made biodiesel - for Hawaii include:
  • Family wage-earning jobs
  • Revenue for the State
  • Energy Security - firm back-up for other renewables
  • Biofuel production supports HCEI/State renewable energy goals
  • More locally produced biodiesel also means local jobs and more energy dollars spent locally, staying in Hawaii's economy.
The passing of SB 2019 SD1 would move the State toward its intended transportation renewable energy goals and further support the State in achieving the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative's goal of 100% clean energy by 2045.
 
The Testimony Filing Deadline is 10AM on Thursday, February 22.
Oral testimony will not be heard at this meeting, only written testimony. Here's how to submit written testimony:
  1. Go to the SB 2019 SD1 page on the Hawaii State Legislature Website found at this link;  https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2019&year=2018 
  2. Click the blue SUBMIT TESTIMONY button at the top right of the page. Please note: If you do not already have an online account, you will need to create one in order to submit testimony.
  3. You will be directed to the Submit Testimony page where you need to type SB 2019 in the "Enter Bill or Measure" field at the top left of the page then select the "Get Hearing" button. The online testimony form will then appear.
  4. Complete the online form. It's fast and easy. You can write comments in the field provided and/or you may upload your written Testimony Letter. To assist you, we have provided a sample Testimony Letter below for reference.
Please help spread the word. We encourage all friends of Pacific Biodiesel to submit testimony in SUPPORT of SB 2019 SD1!
 
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] .
 
Mahalo for your support!

 

SAMPLE TESTIMONY LETTER
(update sections in red with your information)
 
 
February __, 2018
 
TESTIMONY ON SB 2019 SD1 RELATING TO BIOFUEL
SUPPORT
 
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair
Committee: Committee on Ways and Means
Hearing: "Public Decision Making" on Friday, February 23, 2018 at 10AM in Conference Room 211, State Capitol
 
Chairperson Dela Cruz, Vice-Chair and Members of the Committee,
 
NAME is in strong SUPPORT of SB 2019 SD1.
 
With the passing of the Hawaii's Renewable Portfolio Standard, the State has shown its considerable commitment to moving Hawaii beyond fossil fuels. This commitment should now be extended beyond electricity production, to the vital transportation industry.
Senate Bill 2019 SD1 establishes a biofuel content requirement for all on-road transportation fuel sold in Hawaii. Given the magnitude of fossil fuel imported into Hawaii, the most petroleum-dependent state in the nation - and with the majority of Hawaii's fuel consumed by our transportation sector - this would move our State toward its intended transportation renewable energy goals. It is an important step in the fight against climate change.
 
A biofuel content requirement isn't anything new - similar requirements are already in place in over a dozen states on the mainland, in various blends from 5% to 20%. In Hawaii, a state that was the first in the nation to mandate becoming powered by 100% renewable sources, we are lagging behind in showing support for biofuels! Blending 10% biodiesel into petroleum diesel for on-road diesel engines is an important step towards our 100% renewable goals.
 
Please pass SB 2019 SD1 that will significantly advance the reduction and eventual elimination of imported fossil fuels, help drive Hawaii to a stronger, more resilient and energy-secure economy, and ensure that Hawaii is doing its part to minimize the negative impacts of greenhouse gas-induced climate change.
 
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
 
NAME
COMPANY NAME
 
 

Founded in 1995, Pacific Biodiesel is Hawaii's award-winning and internationally recognized producer of renewable fuels and the only commercial producer of liquid biofuels in the state. This Maui-based company established and operated the very first retail biodiesel pump in America and for the past two decades has built a solid reputation as a leading pioneer in the renewable energy industry. Throughout its history, Pacific Biodiesel's mission has remained constant: to promote a clean, sustainable energy future through the community-based production of renewable fuels. Today, with more than 95 employees statewide, Pacific Biodiesel excels in constructing and operating biodiesel processing plants, advancing process technology, and producing and marketing quality fuels. The company is also involved in many sustainable agriculture-related projects - including testing sunflowers as a potential year-round feedstock for producing biodiesel and exploring innovative ways to turn agriculture waste into useful products that can create new revenue streams for farmers, such as recycling waste papaya to grow algae for use in farm fertilizer and as feed for local aquaculture and livestock. With a nameplate production capacity of 5.5 million gallons annually, Pacific Biodiesel's Big Island plant utilizes state-of-the art distillation technology to produce the highest-quality biodiesel in the country.
For more information please visit our website at:
biodiesel.com
or contact Beth Mathias at:
[email protected]
LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!
Like us on Facebook      Follow us on Twitter