THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	130
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau to examine the existing waste to energy program on Oahu as it relates to the collection of a dedicated recycling stream of plastics for conversion to energy.

     WHEREAS, recycling is considered a key component of a waste management system; and

     WHEREAS, all fossil fuels consumed in Hawaii are imported and are subject to the worldwide escalation in energy prices, which are eventually passed on to consumers; and

     WHEREAS, this body believes that Hawaii can be a leader in waste-to-energy recycling; and

     WHEREAS, other than proposed bans, Hawaii has not focused on recycling of plastic, specifically converting plastic material to energy; and

WHEREAS, plastics are made from petroleum derivatives and release high levels of energy when burned, for example, burning one pound of the polyethylene in plastic grocery bags produces 18,500 BTU (British thermal unit--the amount of energy needed to heat one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit) as opposed to 8,500 to 14,000 Btu for coal; and

WHEREAS, polyethylene burns cleanly, giving off no toxic fumes and releases only carbon dioxide and water; and

     WHEREAS, Oahu already operates a waste to energy facility at H-Power in Campbell Industrial Park and it is estimated that the island of Oahu uses 300,000,000 plastic bags annually; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008 that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to examine the existing waste to energy program on Oahu as it relates to the collection of a dedicated recycling stream of plastics for conversion to energy; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit a written report of findings and recommendations, including any necessary proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Environmental Services and the recycling coordinator of the City and County of Honolulu and the Facility Manager of H-Power are requested to fully cooperate with the Legislative Reference Bureau in this study; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Acting Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Director of Health, the Mayor and the Director of Environmental Services of the City and County of Honolulu, and the Facility Manager of H-Power.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Waste to Energy Conversion; Plastics Stream; LRB Study