Hawaii Senate Bill SR86

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/11/25

Caption

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 To Ensure That The Operators Continuously Monitor, Sample, And Report The Emissions Of Contaminants.

Impact

The resolution aims to enhance public health protections by ensuring that emissions from waste combustion are tracked more accurately, thereby providing better data on pollutants that could adversely affect communities. Under current practices, many harmful emissions are tested infrequently, if at all, which can lead to significant underreporting of toxic substances released into the environment. The proposed change would align Hawaii with practices in other states, such as Oregon, where more robust monitoring is already mandated.

Summary

Senate Resolution 86 (SR86) urges the Director of Health in Hawaii to require operators of waste combustion facilities, particularly H-POWER, to implement continuous emission monitoring and sampling technologies that have been validated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This move comes in light of H-POWER being one of the largest sources of industrial air pollution in the state, monitoring only a limited set of air pollutants while neglecting others. The bill highlights the technological advancements that allow for continuous monitoring, which is more accurate than the traditional annual stack testing currently employed by these facilities.

Contention

Key points of contention surrounding SR86 arise from the public health implications of waste combustion emissions, especially those from H-POWER. Studies cited in the resolution indicate that actual emissions can be substantially higher than what is reported through annual testing methods. There are concerns about the environmental impact of these emissions on local populations, particularly under circumstances where wind patterns can carry pollutants into densely populated areas. The bill also raises questions about the regulatory frameworks that govern pollution monitoring and the effectiveness of current practices in protecting public health.