New environmental
laws praised

New laws relating to Hawaii's environment will help provide additional recycling centers, increase clean-energy use, prohibit golf courses on farmland and reduce coastal light pollution.

Hawaii's Sierra Club is praising the state Legislature for the following environmental bills that will become law in the next few weeks, since Gov. Linda Lingle did not list them last Monday among bills she will veto.

The bills will take effect when Lingle signs them or, if she does not sign them, on July 12. Last Monday was the deadline by which the governor had to indicate her veto intentions.

"On balance, Hawaii's environment made significant gains at the state Capitol this session," said Jeff Mikulina, director of the Sierra Club's Hawaii Chapter. "Kudos to both the governor and the Legislature for making some smart choices for Hawaii's sustainability."

The Sierra Club listed as significant new laws:

» Bottle Bill improvements: Senate Bill 212 Conference Draft 1, House Bill 1015 Senate Draft 1 and Senate Bill 680 House Draft 1.

This group of changes to Hawaii's bottle law will:

» Provide grants and rebates of up to $6 million to help retail stores and organizations install reverse vending machines before the end of this year.

"Although we are encouraged by the increase in the redemption rate, the lack of convenient and accessible recycling centers is hindering the program's success," Mikulina said. "We hope the new rebate program will encourage more grocery stores and organizations to provide recycling options."

» Allow redemption of cans and plastic bottles that have been crushed. Redemption centers are prepared to accept crushed containers when the bill becomes law, said Janice Okubo, state Department of Health spokeswoman.

» Require the state to facilitate getting beverage bar code information for reverse vending machines in a timely manner.

» Expansion of net energy metering: Senate Bill 1003 Conference Draft 1:

Selling excess electricity created by home or business photovoltaic systems back to the electric company will be easier because of this bill. Renewable-energy industry leaders believe the bill will give a tremendous boost to photovoltaic, or "solar electric," residential sales.

» Fuel-efficient state vehicles: Senate Bill 1427 Conference Draft 1:

Requires the state to increase the percentage of state fleet cars and trucks that are electric, fuel cell or hybrid-powered. At least 20 percent of newly purchased light-duty vehicles acquired by each state agency will be alternative-fuel vehicles by 2007, and 40 percent by 2009.

» Prohibiting golf courses on farmlands: House Bill 109 Conference Draft 1:

Will prohibit future golf courses from being located on agricultural lands while allowing them to be built on lands classified as rural. Permitting golf courses on Hawaii agricultural lands has been a contentious issue for decades, most notably in the case of the Big Island's Hokulia development, which was halted by a court ruling and awaits the outcome of an appeal.

» Reducing coastal light pollution: House Bill 895 Conference Draft 1:

Large floodlights and spotlights shining onto the ocean for decorative purposes will be banned by this law, in an attempt to reduce deaths of hatchling sea turtles, fledgling shearwater birds, nocturnal seabirds and migratory birds.

"For homeowners and hotels, using bright coastal lights is simply a matter of aesthetics," Mikulina said, "but for Hawaii's fragile marine and bird life, it is a matter of survival. We are glad that lawmakers finally saw the light."