Bill Text: HI SB260 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 260 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Nuclear Energy; DBEDT

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-12-18 - Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. [SB260 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-SB260-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	260
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to nuclear energy.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that although limitless resources exist to generate electricity from alternative energy sources, Hawaii remains dependent on imported fossil fuels for more than eighty per cent of its energy generation. The vast majority of electricity in Hawaii is generated in outdated diesel and fossil fuel-powered facilities. This results in many problems for Hawaii's economy and environment. Hawaii's residents pay electric rates that are one hundred to two hundred per cent higher than the national average. When oil prices peaked in mid-2008, the average household electric bill on Oahu was one hundred ninety-two per cent of the national average. Average household electric bills on the neighbor islands were even higher, resulting in hardships statewide for low income families. The legislature further finds that the energy market in Hawaii is dominated by one company that controls most of the production and one hundred per cent of the distribution of energy in the State, and, therefore, has little incentive to develop alternatives. This amounts to a monopoly.

The legislature finds that nuclear energy is a safe and efficient alternative to fossil fuels. Nuclear energy is used to produce electricity in many parts of the continental United States. Nuclear power is also successfully used in countries in Europe and Asia. In fact, since 1973, France has constructed fifty-eight nuclear power facilities that provide over eighty per cent of that country's electricity. The legislature further finds that nuclear power generation facilities already exist in Hawaii and have for some time, in the form of the United States Navy's nuclear powered vessels at Pearl Harbor. The opportunity exists to safely use nuclear energy to generate electricity for the public and to end Hawaii's dependence on expensive polluting fossil fuels.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a nuclear energy commission to study the feasibility and advisability of developing nuclear energy generation facilities in Hawaii.

SECTION 2. (a) The nuclear energy commission is established within the department of business, economic development, and tourism, for administrative purposes only.

(b) The commission shall consist of the following members:

(1) The director of business, economic development, and tourism, who shall serve as the chairperson of the commission;

(2) Three members of the general public with expertise in nuclear energy generation or nuclear waste disposal, to be appointed by the governor;

(3) The director of health or the director's designee;

(4) An expert on nuclear energy from the University of Hawaii appointed by the president of the University of Hawaii;

(5) An expert on nuclear waste disposal from the University of Hawaii appointed by the president of the University of Hawaii;

(6) An expert on nuclear energy generation from the United States Navy shall be requested to serve;

(7) A representative of the United States Department of Energy shall be requested to serve; and

(8) A representative from the Nature Conservancy shall be requested to serve.

(1) Study the feasibility of developing nuclear energy generation facilities in Hawaii;

(2) Evaluate the risks and benefits of developing nuclear energy generation facilities in Hawaii, including environmental risks;

(3) Evaluate the short-term and long-term economic costs and benefits of developing nuclear energy generation facilities in Hawaii; and

(4) Study strategies for safely disposing, storing, or reprocessing of nuclear waste.

(d) The commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2014.

SECTION 3. The commission shall cease to exist on June 30, 2014.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Nuclear Energy; DBEDT

Description:

Establishes a nuclear energy commission within the department of business, economic development, and tourism.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.