HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	46
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		PROPOSED

HOUSE RESOLUTION

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO INCREASE AIR AND WATER QUALITY MONITORING EFFORTS RELATING TO GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT.

     WHEREAS, there is a lack of consensus and understanding on the environmental and human health effects resulting from geothermal resource development activities and the level of risk posed to air and water quality by current geothermal activities on Hawai‘i Island; and

WHEREAS, the potential health effects of living near a geothermal power facility have been a major concern to residents living in Puna, Hawai‘i, and surrounding areas; and

     WHEREAS, the Final Report of the Geothermal Public Health Assessment sponsored by the County of Hawai‘i found that geothermal resource development activities in Puna, Hawai‘i, have been associated with adverse health effects; and

     WHEREAS, the Department of Health, charged with protecting and improving the health and environment for all people in the State, is currently limited to only one ambient air quality monitor and lacks monitoring equipment or procedures for geothermal resource activities; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawai‘i, Regular Session of 2014, that the Department of Health is urged to increase air and water quality monitoring efforts relating to geothermal resource development; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to submit a written report to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2015 that includes:

     (1)  The plan and progress for providing oversight of air and water quality monitoring in regards to geothermal resource development activities; and

     (2)  The adequacy of the existing sampling procedures and meteorological instruments in regards to air and water quality monitoring; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, Mayor of Hawai‘i County, and Chair of the Hawai‘i County Council.

Report Title: 

Geothermal Development; Air and Water Quality Control