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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
65 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
urging the university of hawaii system and the department of education to include training, COURSES, and Curriculum related to the mechanics, repair, and maintenance of electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, and OTHER alternative fuel vehicles in ITS school programs.
WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly urgent, and the State recognizes the importance of eliminating fossil fuels and transitioning to clean energy across all sectors; and
WHEREAS, the use of fossil fuels is the State's primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and the State's dependence on fossil fuels drains the economy of billions of dollars each year; and
WHEREAS, the transportation sector accounts for the use of over two-thirds of the oil imported into the State; and
WHEREAS, drivers spend nearly $2,000,000,000 annually on gasoline and diesel for their cars and trucks, and the combustion of that fuel releases approximately eleven billion pounds of climate-changing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year; and
WHEREAS, Hawai‘i currently has upwards of ten thousand electric vehicles on the road, and that number will continue to increase as electric vehicles become more readily available and cost-effective for the public, and as the State expands its electric vehicle charging infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, Hawai‘i ranks in the top five states nationally for adoption of electric vehicles based on the percentage of vehicles purchased; and
WHEREAS, mechanics and others who perform repair and maintenance of electric vehicles require special tools, safety equipment, and technician training;
WHEREAS, it is estimated that only three percent of automotive technicians have the skillset to work on electric vehicles; and
WHEREAS, only limited courses focused on electric vehicle mechanics, repair, and maintenance are offered through the University of Hawaii and Department of Education programs; and
WHEREAS, given the increasing adoption of electric vehicles across the State, this body finds that it is necessary to develop a workforce of automotive technicians who are trained in the mechanics, repair, and maintenance of electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, the House of Representatives concurring, that this body urges the University of Hawaii System and the Department of Education to include training, courses, and curriculum related to the mechanics, repair, and maintenance of electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles in its school programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to President of the University of Hawaii System, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and Superintendent of Education.
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OFFERED BY: |
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EV Education Course; Automotive Repair Courses; UH Systems; DOE