Bill Text: HI HB2097 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating To Energy.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2024-01-24 - Referred to EEP, CPC, referral sheet 2 [HB2097 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB2097-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2097
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to energy.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the protection of the State's natural environment is of paramount importance.  Act 246, Session Laws of Hawaii 1974, established environmental impact assessment requirements for certain types of projects.  Subsequently, the legislature passed Act 55, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004 (Act 55), which clarified existing law regarding environmental impact assessment requirements to include power-generating facilities.  However, Act 55 limited affected power-generating facilities to those that generate electricity using fossil fuel.  Since the passage of Act 55, further research determined that the combustion of any type of fuel creates air pollution that harms the natural environment and human health.  Therefore, addressing all types of fuel combustion, rather than solely fossil fuel combustion, will continue protection of the State's natural resources and overall public health.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require environmental impact assessments for certain power-generating facilities that rely on combustion of any type of fuel.

     SECTION 2.  Section 343-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "power-generating facility" to read as follows:

     ""Power-generating facility" means:

     (1)  A new[, fossil-fueled,] combustion electricity-generating facility, where the electrical output rating of the new equipment exceeds 5.0 megawatts, including facilities not in commercial operation as of January 1, 2024, that plan to operate commercially after January 1, 2024; [or]

     (2)  An expansion in generating capacity of an existing[, fossil-fueled,] combustion electricity-generating facility, where the incremental electrical output rating of the new equipment exceeds 5.0 megawatts[.]; or

     (3)  A conversion of an electricity-generating facility from one source of energy to another source, where the new source requires combustion and where the electrical output rating of the converted facility exceeds 5.0 megawatts."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title:

Environmental Impact Assessments; Power-Generating Facilities; Combustion; Electricity

 

Description:

Clarifies the definition of "power-generating facility" for the purposes of environmental impact assessments to include new combustion electricity-generating facilities operating beginning January 1, 2024, that were not previously operational.  Includes  power-generating facilities that are converting from one source of energy to another source, where the new source requires combustion and the electrical output rating of the converted facility exceeds 5.0 megawatts.

 

 

 

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