Bill Text: HI SB2372 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 2372

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Energy.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-22 - Referred to EET, CPN. [SB2372 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-SB2372-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2372
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Energy.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires environmental assessments for certain types of projects. In 2004, the legislature passed Act 55, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004, to "[c]lose loopholes in the environmental review process" by including certain types of projects, including any "power-generating facility" of a certain minimum output, to have an environmental assessment pursuant to chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The legislation limited "power-generating facility" to those that generate electricity using fossil fuel.

Since then, considerable research has been performed on the combustion of all types of fuels. It has been determined that the combustion of any type of fuel creates air pollution that harms the environment, as well as human health.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to update the law requiring environmental assessments for power-generating facilities by redefining "power-generating facilities" to include those that rely on the combustion of any fuel source.

SECTION 2. Section 343-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "power-generating facilities" to read as follows:

""Power-generating facility" means:

(1) A new[~~, fossil-fueled,~~] combustion electricity-generating facility, where the electrical output rating of the new equipment exceeds 5.0 megawatts[;], including facilities not in commercial operation as of January 1, 2024, which plan to operate commercially after January 1, 2024; [or]

(2) An expansion in generating capacity of an existing[~~, fossil-fueled,~~] combustion electricity-generating facility, where the incremental electrical output rating of the new equipment exceeds 5.0 megawatts[.]; or

(3) A conversion of an electricity-generating facility from one source of energy to another source, where the new source requires combustion, and where the electrical output rating of the converted facility exceeds 5.0 megawatts."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Energy; Pollution; Environmental Assessment; Power-Generating Facility; Fuel Source

Description:

Redefines power-generating facility to include those that rely on the combustion of any fuel source which exceeds 5.0 megawatts.

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