RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, plasma technology offers an alternative means of managing solid waste that will reduce the State's dependence on landfills; and

WHEREAS, plasma technology is not an incineration process, but an extremely high temperature thermal treatment technology capable of extracting useful energy from solid waste and leaving as a byproduct chemically and biologically inert slag; and

WHEREAS, plasma technology is capable of treating asbestos-containing waste, infectious biomedical waste, hazardous waste, and radioactive waste to the extent required to eliminate threats posed by these wastes to human health and the environment; and

WHEREAS, the permitting process in the State for such a processing facility can be highly layered and complex, posing a considerable obstacle for newcomers to the State who are unfamiliar with the applicable state and county laws; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Department of Health, and the Mayor and Council of each of the four counties, are respectfully requested to assist in the accommodation of plasma facilities in the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department is requested to meet with prospective applicants to facilitate understanding of the regulatory requirements and processes, educating the counties and the public on the relative benefits of plasma technology compared to current landfill disposal practices, and assisting prospective applicants with all permitting applications; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Department of Health, and the Mayor and Council of each of the four counties.

Report Title:

Business Development