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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
150 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO ENGAGE AND WORK WITH LANAI, MOLOKAI, AND THE OTHER NEIGHBOR ISLAND COMMUNITIES WHEN FORMULATING ENERGY POLICY AND IDENTIFYING ENERGY PROJECTS FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII.
WHEREAS, the construction and operation of an interisland high-voltage undersea electric transmission cable system has the potential to improve the distribution of electricity and power throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, Act 165, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, authorized the construction and development of an interisland high-voltage undersea electric transmission cable system to link the electricity consumers of the island of Oahu to the wind energy generation facilities located on other islands of the State; and
WHEREAS, although the development of the interisland high-voltage undersea electric transmission cable system is innovative and seemingly attractive, the placement of wind energy generation facilities near communities throughout the State could have a profoundly negative impact on the communities surrounding the facilities; and
WHEREAS, wind turbines affect the beauty of the landscape, create noise pollution, impede subsistence hunting, gathering, and fishing, and pose potential risks for those who live nearby; and
WHEREAS, residents and community groups on Molokai and Lanai have strongly opposed the construction of wind energy generation facilities on those islands; and
WHEREAS, Act 165, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, authorizes a regulatory structure for the construction of the interisland high-voltage undersea electric transmission cable system, but does not require the construction of the system; and
WHEREAS, the community on the island of Molokai has already begun working together with the State on an island-specific alternative plan to develop local renewable energy that will be less disruptive to the environment and the community; and
WHEREAS, energy projects face much less community opposition, delay, and legal challenges when the community is engaged early and is given the opportunity to work together with the State and energy partners; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, that the Governor is requested to engage and work with Lanai, Molokai, and the other neighbor island communities when formulating energy policy and identifying energy projects for the State of Hawaii; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, Mayor of each county, Executive Director of I Aloha Molokai, Friends of Lanai, Lanaians for Sensible Growth, Kupaa No Lanai, and Lanai Cultural and Heritage Center.
Alternatives To The Interisland Transmission Cable System