Amendment Proposal to Exclude “Municipal Solid Waste” from Renewable Energy Sources in Hawaii Revised Statutes

Background

: HRS §269-91 states “Renewable energy” means energy generated or produced using the following sources… Biomass, including biomass crops, agricultural and animal residues and wastes, and municipal solid waste, and other solid waste.”

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0269/HRS_0269-0091.htm

Course of Action

  • Contact all Kauai state representatives to notify them of the state’s questionable definition of “renewable”. Explain our rationale, and ask for their position on the definition.
  • Network with Zero Waste organizations throughout the state and try to mount a broad based assault to exclude “municipal solid waste, and other solid waste” from the definition.
  • Identify federal guidelines that may be in conflict with the state’s definition.
  • Contact national environmental organizations to explore legal challenges to the definition.