Report Title:

Waste Plastic; Energy; Strategic Energy Reserve

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of business, economic development, and tourism to conduct a study regarding the feasibility of using stockpiles of waste plastics as a strategic energy reserve.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2194
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to waste plastic.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State of Hawaii is lacking a strategic energy reserve.  If confronted with an energy crisis, the State would be dependent on federal energy reserves.

     Under the Federal Emergency Petroleum Supply Act, during an emergency energy crisis, Hawaii would receive an emergency supply of oil as well as expedited tanker deliveries.  However, these emergency supplies would be transported from the mainland, creating possible logistical and time-related problems.  Therefore, it would be advantageous for the State of Hawaii to create its own strategic energy reserves to supplement the federal reserves.

     The legislature also finds that, as waste plastics have high energy content, they are a possible source of energy.  Additionally, waste plastics, when compacted and baled, can be safely stored.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to conduct a study regarding the feasibility of stockpiling waste plastics for use as a strategic energy reserve.

     SECTION 2.  The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall conduct a study of the feasibility of stockpiling waste plastics for use as a strategic energy reserve for the State of Hawaii.

     The study shall evaluate and perform a cost-benefit analysis of:

     (1)  The options for using waste plastics to create energy, including facilities currently available within the State; and

     (2)  The considerations involved in stockpiling waste plastics for energy use, including the collection, transportation, and storage of the waste plastics throughout the State.

     SECTION 3.  The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall submit its report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2009 regular session.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for a study examining the feasibility of stockpiling waste plastics for use as a strategic energy reserve.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:

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