Bill Text: HI SCR123 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Hydraulic Fracturing; Conservation and Resources

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2013-04-24 - Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on CPC with Representative(s) Cheape voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Fale voting no (1) and Representative(s) Brower, Har, Oshiro excused (3). [SCR123 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2013-SCR123-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	123
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

opposING the use of hydraulic fracturing in hawaii.

 

 

     WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing - also known as "fracking"-is a technique used in "enhanced geothermal systems" or "engineered geothermal systems" to generate geothermal energy; and

 

     WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing involves drilling wells into the ground and injecting a fluid into the rock to fracture the rock; and

 

     WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing can result in potentially adverse impacts to the environment, including:

 

     (1)  Stress on surface water and ground water supplies from the withdrawal of large volumes of water used in drilling and hydraulic fracturing;

 

     (2)  Contamination of underground sources of drinking water and surface waters resulting from spills, faulty well construction, or by other means related to the hydraulic fracturing process;

 

     (3)  Adverse impacts from the discharge of waste water from hydraulic fracturing into surface waters or into underground injection wells; and

 

     (4)  Air pollution resulting from the release of volatile organic compounds, hazardous air pollutants, and greenhouse gases from the hydraulic fracturing process; and

 

     WHEREAS, a recent study has raised questions about whether there is a link between hydraulic fracturing and earthquakes; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is presently being assessed as a potential site for "enhanced geothermal systems" or "engineered geothermal systems" using hydraulic fracturing techniques; and

 

     WHEREAS, it is not clear whether present statutes and regulations adequately protect against the potentially adverse impacts of hydraulic fracturing; and

 

     WHEREAS, it would be useful to potential geothermal developers to know which technologies will be acceptable in Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, a proactive approach should be taken to safeguard the people of Hawaii, the environment, and Hawaii's natural resources by opposing the use of hydraulic fracturing; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, the House of Representatives concurring, that this body opposes the use of hydraulic fracturing in Hawaii; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Director of Health; and Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Hydraulic Fracturing; Conservation and Resources