Introduced
Hawaii : 2025 Regular Session : BILL SB1302
Relating To Air Pollution.
Sponsor: Sen Jarrett Keohokalole
Bill Details
Requires owners or operators of waste combustion facilities to develop a plan to implement continuous monitoring and sampling technologies at each combustion unit to monitor and sample for certain air contaminants. Requires a publicly available website hosted by the Department of Health to track and display the data collected on the air contaminants. Requires the Department of Health to adjust permit limits for air contaminants based on the data collected. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.
Bill summary (AI generated)
This bill, titled "Relating To Air Pollution," aims to enhance the monitoring and reporting of emissions from waste combustion facilities in Hawaii. It requires the owners or operators of these facilities to develop a plan for implementing continuous monitoring and sampling technologies to track specific air contaminants emitted from each combustion unit. Key provisions of the bill include the following: 1. **Continuous Monitoring Requirement**: Waste combustion facilities must monitor and sample for a wide range of contaminants, including carbon dioxide, ammonia, hydrochloric acid, dioxins, and heavy metals such as lead and mercury. 2. **Data Accessibility**: The Department of Health is mandated to establish a publicly accessible website that will host real-time emissions data, which will be provided by the facility operators. This site will include emissions levels, trends, and any violations of air quality standards. 3. **Reporting Obligations**: Facility operators are required to submit their monitoring plans to the Department of Health for approval and must report emissions data promptly. The Department shall issue annual reports to the Legislature based on collected data. 4. **Assessment of Technology**: The bill outlines the use of both continuous emissions monitoring systems and continuous automated sampling systems. Operators must ensure the monitoring technologies are technologically feasible and commercially available. 5. **Adjustments to Permit Limits**: The Department of Health will have the authority to adjust permit limits for air contaminants based on the monitoring data collected. 6. **Implementation Timeline**: Facility owners must submit their plans by October 1, 2025, and are required to implement the approved plan within three months of approval. Overall, the bill establishes comprehensive requirements aimed at improving air quality monitoring and promoting public transparency concerning air pollution from waste combustion facilities in Hawaii.
History
The bill was initially pending introduction and was officially introduced on January 23, 2025, after which it passed its first reading, indicating initial approval to proceed. Subsequently, on January 27, 2025, it was referred to two committees: Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources (AEN), as well as the Ways and Means (WAM) committee. The next steps involve committee reviews, during which members will examine the bill in detail and may propose amendments before voting on whether to forward it to the full legislature for further consideration. The bill remains active and has not yet passed or failed.
- Tue 21 Jan 2025 Pending Introduction.
- Thu 23 Jan 2025 Introduced and passed First Reading.
- Mon 27 Jan 2025 Referred to HHS/AEN, WAM.