Hawaii House Bill HR132

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24
• Report Pass: 3/22/24
• Refer: 3/22/24

Caption

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.

Impact

If HR132 is enacted, it could lead to improved monitoring practices across the state, potentially decreasing the amount of harmful pollutants released into the environment. This change is significant because waste combustion facilities are among the largest sources of industrial air pollution, which can have severe implications for public health and environmental quality. The feasibility study requested by the resolution will explore options for more robust monitoring systems, including a wide array of additional contaminants beyond what's currently measured.

Summary

House Resolution 132 (HR132) urges the Department of Health in Hawaii to conduct a feasibility study on the implementation of continuous monitoring and sampling technologies at waste combustion facilities and municipal solid waste landfills. The bill is motivated by concerns regarding the current state of technology used to monitor pollutant emissions, which has been deemed inadequate and outdated. The resolution emphasizes that only a limited number of pollutants are continuously monitored, leading to significant gaps in data, especially during critical periods such as startup, shutdown, and malfunction of these facilities.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention arises from the concern that the current monitoring practices underestimate certain toxic emissions by substantial margins. Dioxins, which are highly toxic, are particularly highlighted, with existing methods failing to provide the necessary data to adequately assess public health risks. The resolution calls for the Department of Health to evaluate and report on the need for technology that aligns with standards from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The complexities surrounding the implementation of new monitoring technologies may lead to debates about costs, regulatory impacts, and environmental justice considerations.

Next_steps

HR132 requests a report from the Department of Health outlining its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to be submitted prior to the start of the 2025 legislative session. This timeline indicates that stakeholders and the public will have a chance to review and respond to the study's outcomes before further legislative action is considered.