STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2041

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.R. No. 129

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 129 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING CERTAIN ACTION CONCERNING THE CONDUCTING OF A TEST TO CONVERT H-POWER ASH TO REUSABLE MATERIAL,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to facilitate the recycling of the ash produced by H-Power into a useful product and thereby extend the useful life of our landfills by requesting the Department of Health (DOH) to:

(1)  Waive the requirements, if legally possible, to modify H-Power's permit to allow an ash conversion test at H-Power's site; or

(2)  Suggest an alternative method to conduct the ash conversion test that does not require permit modifications; and

(3)  If neither is possible, expedite the permit modification

process to less than the 180-day automatic approval period.

Covanta Energy testified in support of this resolution.  DOH opposed this measure.  The Department of Environmental Services of the City and County of Honolulu commented on this resolution.

     H-Power is the cornerstone of the City and County of Honolulu's municipal solid waste program that converts approximately 660,000 tons of solid waste to energy annually and saves landfill space by reducing the solid waste volume by 90 percent.  Your Committees support the conversion of ash to a recycled usable byproduct in a manner that does not compromise the safety and health of the public.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 129 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________ KEN ITO, Chair

____________________________ HERMINA MORITA, Chair