HI SR39

Urges the Director of Health to require waste combustion facility operators to implement continuous monitoring and sampling technologies that have been tested and verified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Notes that the Covanta Honolulu Resource Recovery Venture (H-POWER) waste combustion facility currently monitors only four air pollutants continuously, while other pollutants are tested only once annually under optimal operating conditions.

Points to evidence that continuous monitoring detects significantly higher emissions than annual stack testing, citing data showing hydrochloric acid emissions 62 percent higher at a Pennsylvania incinerator and dioxin emissions 32 to 52 times greater in European studies compared to U.S. annual testing methods.

Highlights that the facility operator Reworld uses continuous monitoring for toxic metals, dioxins, and furans at incinerators in other states and is required to do so in Oregon, but not in Hawaii.

Directs certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Health, and all county mayors and council chairpersons.