by Derrick DePledge

A climate change task force that was passed into law by the state House and Senate over Gov. Linda Lingle’s veto has yet to hold its first meeting, leading some to wonder whether it will face the same fate as a medical marijuana task force.

The task force, which would assess the impacts of global warming on the Islands, is supposed to file a preliminary report to the state Legislature before the next session in January.

State Sen. Mike Gabbard, D-19th (Kapolei, Makakilo, Waikele), the chairman of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee, and the Sierra Club Hawaii chapter have asked the state Office of Planning about the delay.

From Gabbard:

I am concerned, however, to learn that the Task Force has neither convened nor scheduled a meeting. I’m worried that the Task Force will be unable to present a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2010 Regular Session, as is required by Act 20.

From Robert Harris of the Sierra Club:

The failure to schedule or hold a meeting could be perceived as an attempt to effectuate the Governor’s overridden veto. We hope your office will avoid this perception by promptly scheduling a meeting and putting together a timeline to meet Act 20’s requirements.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 4:54 pm and is filed under 1. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “Chillin'”

ohiaforest3400:
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:17 pm

Read former Republican legislator Bob McDermott's commentary in today's 'tiser and you'll see why there's been no meeting of the task force. Aside from the obvious fiscal excuses, our traveling governor apparently thinks, like McDermott does, that climate change is bunk, probably like evolution, the solar system, gravity, and who knows what else.

This is partly why McDermott is EX-Representative McDermott and why Linda Lingle will be -- but not soon enuf -- EX-Governor Lingle.

Please contact me if I can help you. My phone is 586-6830 and e-mail is sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov. Mahalo for the privilege of serving you!