Bill Text: HI HB1404 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 1404 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Air Pollution; Department of Health; Public Utilities Commission; Coal

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-12-18 - Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. [HB1404 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HB1404-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1404
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to air pollution control.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that coal, as a source of energy, is not part of a long-term clean or sustainable energy future for Hawaii. All of the coal consumed in the State is imported, siphoning millions of dollars out of our local economy.

Coal-fired power plants are currently responsible for approximately seventy per cent of our nation's mercury emissions. In Hawaii, coal emissions release mercury into the air, which falls into Hawaii's soil and water where it contaminates agricultural fields, crops, and especially fish. As a result, Hawaii already has a fish consumption advisory for unsafe levels of mercury.

Mercury from coal-fired power plants is responsible for thousands of premature deaths, heart attacks, and serious respiratory illnesses every year. Mercury is especially threatening to pregnant women and young children. As many as one in six American women have enough mercury in their bodies to put a baby at risk. Mercury is one of the leading causes of preventable birth defects, including brain damage and cerebral palsy.

Further, coal is the most carbon intense of any fossil fuel and releases more greenhouse gas emissions per unit of electricity produced than any other fuel source. If greenhouse gas emissions continue to proceed unabated, current scientific studies predict that Hawaii's future lifestyle and environment will be drastically different from what residents and visitors enjoy today. The Pacific Ocean may inundate most of Waikiki, the business district in Honolulu, and the coastal resort areas on neighboring islands. As a result, the State's aquifers may become increasingly contaminated with the intrusion of salt water. More frequent and severe storms and hurricanes may strike the islands, droughts may be prolonged, and subtle shifts in microclimates may rapidly increase the extinction of endangered plants and animals. Thus, the legislature further finds that it is vital for the State to contribute to the reduction of global warming by decreasing the usage of coal to meet Hawaii's energy needs.

Recognizing that coal was not in the interest of the people of Hawaii, the participating parties to the Hawaii clean energy initiative energy agreement, including the State of Hawaii and the United States Department of Energy, expressly agreed to oppose any attempts to add new coal-based generation to Hawaii and planned to replace this fossil fuel with renewable energy sources in the future.

The purpose of this Act is to prohibit the issuance or renewal of any new power purchase agreement or department of health permit to any facilities that burn or consume coal.

SECTION 2. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§269- No coal power purchase agreements. (a) After December 31, 2014, the public utilities commission shall not approve any new, modified, or renewed power purchase agreement that proposes to burn or consume coal to generate more than fifty megawatts of energy.

(b) For the purposes of this section, "power purchase agreement" means an agreement between an energy facility owner and a public utility on the sale of electricity produced by the facility to the public utility."

SECTION 3. Chapter 342B, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§342B- Permits for coal burning covered sources. (a) After December 31, 2014, the department shall not issue any permit for any term to an owner or operator to construct a covered source to burn or consume coal to generate energy.

(b) The department shall not issue any permit for any term to an owner or operator of an existing covered source who intends to expand, relocate, or modify the covered source, which will result in an increase in the burning or consumption of coal for energy."

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Air Pollution; Department of Health; Public Utilities Commission; Coal

Description:

Prohibits the issuance or renewal of any new power purchase agreement or department of health permit to any facilities that burn or consume coal.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.