Requesting The Department Of Health To Conduct A Feasibility Study On The Implementation Of Continuous Monitoring And Sampling Technologies In Waste Combustion Facilities And Municipal Solid Waste Landfills.
The resolution calls for a comprehensive feasibility study to explore the implementation of more advanced continuous monitoring systems. These systems would supplement the existing regulatory framework by ensuring that emissions are tracked more accurately during all operational phases, including conditions where higher emissions might occur, such as startups or malfunctions. This enhanced monitoring is intended to provide a clearer picture of the pollutants released into the atmosphere and could lead to more informed regulatory decisions that impact public health and environmental safety.
HCR153 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the Thirty-second Legislature of Hawaii, requesting the Department of Health to conduct a feasibility study on implementing continuous monitoring and sampling technologies in waste combustion facilities and municipal solid waste landfills. The resolution highlights concerns about the significant industrial air pollution caused by these facilities, which often employ outdated monitoring technologies that fail to provide accurate data on emissions. Currently, only a limited number of pollutants are consistently monitored, leaving critical information on other harmful pollutants largely unassessed.
Notable points of contention surrounding HCR153 include the potential costs associated with upgrading or replacing current monitoring technologies at these facilities. While proponents argue that improved monitoring could significantly reduce public health risks by better identifying air quality issues, opponents may raise concerns about the financial burden on facility operators and the feasibility of implementing such comprehensive changes. Moreover, the resolution emphasizes the need for regulatory alignment with standards established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, which may also provoke discussions about state versus federal oversight of environmental policies.