Urging The Director Of Health To Require Operators Of Waste Combustion Facilities To Implement Continuous Monitoring And Sampling Technologies That Have Been Tested And Verified By The United States Environmental Protection Agency And Continuously Monitor And Sample, And Report The Emissions Of Contaminants.
The passage of SR39 is expected to amend existing regulations governing the operation of waste combustion facilities by emphasizing continuous emissions monitoring. This is crucial for capturing real-time data on various pollutants beyond those currently monitored. Notably, the Covanta Honolulu Resource Recovery Venture (H-Power), one of the largest sources of industrial air pollution in Hawaii, presently monitors only a limited number of pollutants continuously, which has raised public health concerns regarding the exposure to toxic emissions that affect surrounding communities.
Senate Resolution 39 (SR39) urges the Director of Health in Hawaii to mandate that operators of waste combustion facilities implement continuous monitoring and sampling technologies that are verified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The resolution aims to enhance the monitoring of air emissions from waste combustion facilities, which are significant contributors to air pollution and public health risks in the state. The proposal highlights the need for more reliable and continuous data on emissions compared to the annual stack testing currently in place.
Proponents of the resolution argue that the implementation of advanced continuous monitoring technologies is essential for accurately assessing the health risks posed by emissions from waste combustion facilities. They contend that the current method of annual testing significantly underestimates the true levels of harmful pollutants such as dioxins and furans. Critics, however, may express concerns regarding the financial implications of retrofitting facilities with new monitoring technologies, which could incur additional costs for facility operators.