STAND. COM. REP. 158
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2003
RE: H.B. No. 471
H.D. 1
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2003
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 471 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this bill is to improve the environmental review process by:
(1) Requiring environmental assessments for proposed construction of wastewater facilities, waste-to-energy facilities, landfills, oil refineries, and power-generating facilities; and
(2) Authorizing the Office of Evironmental Quality Control (OEQC) to:
(A) Review an agency's determination that its own project will not cause significant environmental impact;
(B) Consult with the agency; and
(C) Make a final determination.
Life of the Land, Na Leo Pohai, OEQC, and Hawaii's Thousand Friends testified in support of this bill. The Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance supported the intent of this bill. Covanta Energy Group and the Board of Water Supply commented on this bill.
The County of Hawaii's Office of Housing and Community Development, Department of Planning and Permitting for the City and County of Honolulu, and an individual opposed this bill.
Your Committee finds that current state law allows the construction of major private wastewater facilities, waste-to-energy facilities, landfills, oil refineries, and power-generating facilities without complete environmental studies or adequate community input. This bill will ensure that proper information is made available to the public when these types of projects are proposed.
Your Committee has amended this bill by:
(1) Removing the provision that would have authorized OEQC to review an agency's determination regarding an environmental assessment, consult with the agency, and make a final determination; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of style and clarity.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 471, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 471, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection,
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____________________________ HERMINA M. MORITA, Chair |