Exempting Utilities from EIS

Imagine exempting large (200+MW) biofuel, pumped storage, and wind projects and interisland electric transmission lines from public review. The state House passed the bill, and it is now before a triple committee hearing in the Senate.

Billionaire David Murdoch is proposing the state's third largest energy project (after HECO's Kahe and Waiau power plants) and wants to ram his proposed project down the throats of Hawai`i's residents.

Murdoch would build a 300-400MW wind farm on Lana`i and ship the energy to O`ahu via an undersea cable.

DBEDT would (a) review the Draft Environmental Impact Statement; (b) hold no hearings; (c) grant no contested case hearings; (d) adopt no rules; (e) have no criteria; and (f) decide all state and county permits (except for a county grading permit and, if necessary, a PUC Power Purchase Agreement).

The inter-island transmission line shall be exempt from a public hearing or contested case hearing.

The House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection split on the bill. Rep Saiki raised serious objections, but the Chair prevailed. The Committee Report states: ''There are problems with this bill at all three levels of government. ... the time constraints placed on PUC may be unrealistic ... it is unclear whether any overriding state-wide imperative exists to justify superseding existing local control over the site selection of a proposed renewable energy facility. ... Nevertheless, upon further consideration, your Committees find that continued discussion on this measure might prove beneficial.''

testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

Senator Ron Menor, Chair

Senator Gary L. Hooser, Vice Chair


COMMITTEE ON WATER AND LAND

Senator Clayton Hee, Chair

Senator Russell S. Kokubun, Vice Chair


COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, Chair

Senator Shan S. Tsutsui, Vice Chair


DATE: Tuesday, March 18, 2008

TIME: 2:45 p.m.

PLACE: Conference Room 414


HB 2863, HD2 Establishes a renewable energy facility siting process to expedite the review and action upon state and county permits necessary for the siting, development, construction, and operation of a renewable energy facility. (HB2863 HD2)



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Henry Curtis, Executive Director, Life of the Land, 76 N. King Street, Suite 203, Honolulu, HI 96817. phone: 808-533-3454. cell: 808-927-0709. Web Site: http://www.lifeofthelandhawaii.org/ email:henry.lifeoftheland@gmail.com