Bill Text: HI SB2802 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Wind Turbines.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-27 - Referred to EET/TRS, CPH. [SB2802 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-SB2802-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2802 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO WIND TURBINES.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that lights atop wind turbines are disruptive to the environment. The safety lights, known as obstruction lighting, create light pollution at night, either disturbing sleep patterns or creating an impediment to a clear night sky. Technology is available that balances obstruction lighting requirements placed on wind farms by civil aviation authorities, against the nuisance light concerns of local communities. Available aircraft lighting detection systems include radar-activated technologies that are designed to activate blinking lights on wind turbines based on the presence of aircraft in the vicinity. Conversely, once the aircraft leaves the vicinity, the lights are deactivated. Such aircraft lighting detection systems have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, and are operational within the United States on windfarms in North Dakota and abroad in Germany and Denmark.
The purpose of this Act is to require the installation of aircraft lighting detection systems on all wind turbines that have obstruction lighting and to ensure that future wind turbines are similarly equipped.
SECTION 2. Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§196-
Wind turbines; installation and maintenance
of lighting systems. (a) Every wind turbine that is equipped with obstruction
lighting that is located within five miles of a residential community shall be equipped
with a sensor-based aircraft lighting detection system that:
(1) Uses passive radar sensors to detect approaching
aircraft; and
(2) Automatically activates the obstruction lights until the lights are no longer needed by the aircraft.
An aircraft detection lighting system may include features that transmit warning messages directly to the pilot and provides additional information regarding an obstruction when the aircraft is approaching.
(b) Any cost associated with installation, implementation,
operation, and maintenance of these systems shall be the sole responsibility of
a turbine owner.
(c) Subsection (a) shall apply to all wind turbines, including those in existence prior to the effective date of this Act. Existing wind turbines shall install an aircraft detection lighting system no later than two years from the effective date of this Act."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Wind Turbines; Obstruction Lighting; Aircraft Detection Systems
Description:
Requires all wind turbines that are equipped with obstruction lighting and located within five miles of a residential community to be equipped with aircraft detection lighting systems.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
