Hawaii House Bill HCR61

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/9/22
• Refer: 3/14/22
• Report Pass: 3/31/22
• Refer: 3/31/22

Caption

Urging The Department Of Planning And Permitting Of The City And County Of Honolulu, Mayor Of The City And County Of Honolulu, And The Honolulu City Council To Ensure Greater Public Input Prior To The Construction Of Wind Machines Having A Rated Capacity Of Up To One Hundred Kilowatts.

Impact

The proposed change is positioned to have a substantial impact on local laws governing energy projects. By shifting the approval for wind machines from minor to major permits, the resolution aims to ensure that affected communities are given a platform to express their opinions on potential sources of noise pollution and environmental disruption associated with wind energy infrastructure. It also stipulates that waivers exempting compliance from Hawaii's environmental impact statement law for these machines should be prohibited, further safeguarding community interests.

Summary

HCR61 is a House Concurrent Resolution urging the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting, the Mayor, and the Honolulu City Council to enhance public involvement in the construction of wind machines rated up to one hundred kilowatts. Currently, the approval process for these machines allows for limited community engagement through minor conditional use permits, which can lead to projects proceeding without substantial local input. This resolution seeks to amend existing regulations to require a major conditional use permit for such wind machines, significantly increasing the public's ability to voice concerns and influence decisions before construction begins.

Contention

Arguments surrounding HCR61 touch on important public policy considerations. Proponents emphasize that increasing public input will lead to better outcomes and foster community trust in local governance compared to a status quo that may overlook local sentiments. Critics, however, may contend that this could slow down the deployment of renewable energy resources at a critical time when such initiatives are necessary for addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development. The balance between swift renewable energy implementation and thorough community engagement remains a pivotal point of interest as this resolution progresses.