THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2966
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to the environment.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that mature trees are essential for mitigating climate warming because they sequester carbon by drawing it from the atmosphere and storing it. Cutting and burning mature trees reduces sequestration and increases carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

The legislature further finds that in order to ensure proper consideration of the environmental effects of cutting and burning mature trees, the definition of power generating facilities should be expanded to include facilities that generate electricity by burning wood.

The purpose of this Act is to ensure proper consideration of the environmental effects of wood burning facilities during the planning process for projects that emit greenhouse gases.

SECTION 2. Section 343-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "power-generating facility" to read as follows:

""Power-generating facility" means:

(1) A new, fossil-fueled[,] or wood-burning, electricity-generating facility, where the electrical output rating of the new equipment exceeds 5.0 megawatts; or

(2) An expansion in generating capacity of an existing, fossil-fueled[,] or wood-burning, electricity-generating facility, where the incremental electrical output rating of the new equipment exceeds 5.0 megawatts."

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Environment; Wood-Burning Electricity Generation; Power-Generating Facility

Description:

Expands the definition of power-generating facilities for purposes of environmental impact statements to include wood-burning facilities.

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