b'2022 Post WPMAEXPOHAWAII Energy Marketers Association State Report HIeye on Hawaii AlohaHawaiis energy industry is keeping a watchfulglobal events unfolding as a result ofRussias invasion of Ukraine, while also contending with threats right in the Aloha State.With crude oil prices up nearly 50% since last year, fuel prices have had a corresponding increase. Hawaii legislation to curtail greenhouse gases exacerbate the volatile situation by potentially driving up prices even higher. For example, there is proposedEric Wrightlegislation calling for statewide greenhouse gas emissions to be brought down to at least 70% below 2005 levels by 2030, and HEMA President other bills to decarbonize Hawaii.HEMAA carbon tax, which was brought up for consideration, would resultin approximately 10 cents per gallon for gasoline in 2023, and would rise to 52 cents per gallon in 2025. Studies are being pro-posed to identify the challenges and actions needed to achieve the proposed greenhouse gas targets, and the energy industry is hopeful this may provide opportunities to shape Hawaiis energy future.The energy industry has also experienced the fallout of legislation attempting to rectify larger community issues. The recent water contamination incident involving the U.S. Navys Red Hill bulk storage tank facility on Oahu impacted the health of military families and created community outrage. It resulted in more than 90,000 family members having to temporarily vacate their homes, and the fuel storage tanks, which experienced leaks in the past, present a lingering potential threat to one of Oahus main aquifers that supplies drinking water to the islands urban core.The water contamination incident garnered national headlines and congressional attention and has spawned a number of legislative and city council bills aimed at eliminating underground fuelstorage tanks by 2050, starting with a moratorium on new permits for USTs. This would have a significant impact on retail stations, and these proposed laws require ongoing vigilance.As in previous legislative sessions, lawmakers continue to grapple with ways to address the cost of living in Hawaiione of the highest in the nation. This legislative session, they propose to grad-ually raise the current minimum wage of $10.10 to $18 per hour by 2026. While many families may benefit from a wage increase, HEMA and most businesses are concerned with such legislation as it would create a financial burden on businesses struggling in their post-pandemic recovery in Hawaiis tourist-based economy.S24 www.wpma.com / Spring 2022'