HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	170
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

requesting the state to give procurement preference for tree cutting and trimming services to companies that demonstrate the ability and commitment to reuse the trees for lumber and wood crafts, to investigate modular biomass systems powered by wood debris, and to develop pilot projects to install and operate small biomass generators at schools to produce savings on electricity costS.

     WHEREAS, on Oahu in 2006, wood stumps alone accounted for nearly 7,200 tons of waste, according to the City and County of Honolulu's "2006 Waste Characterization Study"; and

     WHEREAS, the county landfills statewide are overtaxed, and the prospect of locating new landfill space has diminished; and

     WHEREAS, the salvageable product of felled trees includes both hardwood and utility grade wood; and

     WHEREAS, longer lengths of utility-grade timber can be milled into lumber for use by the construction industry, and shorter lengths can be used by Hawaii's woodcraft industry; and

     WHEREAS, the wood chips generated by mills, tree trimming companies, and other sources can be used as fuel to power biomass generators; and

     WHEREAS, power from biomass is a proven alternative source of commercial electricity in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, in the past, modular biomass systems have not been available for small scale projects; and

     WHEREAS, Darby School in Montana successfully installed and is now operating a small biomass generator that heats its classrooms; and

     WHEREAS, the Darby School model and others could be implemented in Hawaii to generate power for air conditioning and hot water, among other uses; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that the State Procurement Office is requested, in administering the procurement of tree cutting and trimming services, to give preference to companies that demonstrate the ability and commitment to reuse the trees for lumber and wood crafts; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education and University of Hawai‘i are requested to investigate modular biomass systems powered by wood debris, and to develop pilot projects to install and operate small biomass generators at schools to produce savings on electricity costs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the State Procurement Office Administrator, the Superintendent of Education, and the President of the University of Hawai‘i.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Second Generation Wood; Reuse; Biomass