HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	156
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

urging the public utilities commission to deny approval of the PALEHUA wind project.

WHEREAS, Eurus Energy is proposing a new wind energy project called Palehua Wind on the eastern slope of the Wai‘anae range that would effectively surround the community with approximately thirteen new wind turbines; and

WHEREAS, the proposed wind turbines will measure two hundred sixty feet from base to hub, and be located only one mile from Nānākuli High and Intermediate School; and

WHEREAS, wind turbines adversely affect the beauty of the landscape, create noise pollution and shadow flicker, and flash red lights throughout each night; and

WHEREAS, numerous residents of Nānākuli, Wai‘anae, Kapolei, and Makakilo have expressed strong opposition to the proposed wind energy project during recent environmental impact statement scoping and community meetings and questioned why early community outreach was not performed; and

WHEREAS, the Nānākuli-Ma‘ili Neighborhood Board passed a resolution opposing the Palehua Wind project; and

WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency defines "environmental justice" as "the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies"; and

WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency's goal of achieving environmental justice throughout the nation is meant to ensure that every person in the United States enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and equal access to the decision-making process in order to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work; and

WHEREAS, the residents of Nānākuli, Wai‘anae, Kapolei, and Makakilo believe that the imposition of an unwanted industrial wind energy project in the area is contrary to the United States Environmental Protection Agency's goal of achieving environmental justice, as these residents do not think that they are receiving adequate protection from environmental and health hazards or the same access to the decision-making process as residents of other communities; and

WHEREAS, the Westside region of the island of Oahu is already host to numerous projects, including the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill; PVT Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility, a construction and demolition Landfill; Kahe Power Plant; Naval Magazine Lualualei; Lualualei Radio Transmitter; Makua Military Reservation; Ka‘ena Point Satellite Tracking Station; two refineries and four power-generating facilities at Campbell Industrial Park; and a solar farm, the largest on the island, in Wai‘anae valley; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, that the Public Utilities Commission is urged to deny approval of the proposed Palehua Wind project; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Public Utilities Commission; Palehua Wind Project.