Bill > SR86

This resolution urges the Director of Health to require operators of waste combustion facilities, specifically the Covanta Honolulu Resource Recovery Venture (H-POWER), to implement advanced continuous monitoring and sampling technologies that have been tested and verified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The resolution highlights that H-POWER currently monitors only four air pollutants continuously and tests others just once annually, which may significantly underestimate emissions of toxic chemicals like dioxins, furans, and heavy metals. Drawing from examples in other states where Reworld (H-POWER's operator) uses more comprehensive monitoring technologies, the resolution emphasizes that continuous monitoring provides more accurate data than annual stack testing, with studies suggesting that current testing methods can underreport emissions by hundreds or even thousands of times. The resolution is particularly concerned about the potential health impacts on nearby communities, especially given local wind conditions that can blow emissions toward populated areas, and calls for more rigorous and consistent environmental monitoring to protect public health and the environment.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SR&billnumber=86&year=2025