Bill Text: HI SR86 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Resolution 86 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Hydraulic Fracturing; Conservation and Resources

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)

Status: (Passed) 2013-06-07 - Certified copies of resolutions sent, 06-07-13. [SR86 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2013-SR86-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	86
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

opposING the use of hydraulic fracturing in hawaii.

WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing - also known as "fracking"-is a technique used in "enhanced geothermal systems" or "engineered geothermal systems" to generate geothermal energy; and

WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing involves drilling wells into the ground and injecting a fluid into the rock to fracture the rock; and

WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing can result in potentially adverse impacts to the environment, including:

(1) Stress on surface water and ground water supplies from the withdrawal of large volumes of water used in drilling and hydraulic fracturing;

(2) Contamination of underground sources of drinking water and surface waters resulting from spills, faulty well construction, or by other means related to the hydraulic fracturing process;

(3) Adverse impacts from the discharge of waste water from hydraulic fracturing into surface waters or into underground injection wells; and

(4) Air pollution resulting from the release of volatile organic compounds, hazardous air pollutants, and greenhouse gases from the hydraulic fracturing process; and

WHEREAS, a recent study has raised questions about whether there is a link between hydraulic fracturing and earthquakes; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii is presently being assessed as a potential site for "enhanced geothermal systems" or "engineered geothermal systems" using hydraulic fracturing techniques; and

WHEREAS, it is not clear whether present statutes and regulations adequately protect against the potentially adverse impacts of hydraulic fracturing; and

WHEREAS, it would be useful to potential geothermal developers to know which technologies will be acceptable in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, a proactive approach should be taken to safeguard the people of Hawaii, the environment, and Hawaii's natural resources by opposing the use of hydraulic fracturing; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, that this body opposes the use of hydraulic fracturing in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Director of Health; and Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.