Bills Would Eliminate Polystyrene, Incandescent Bulbs
According to Sierra Club’s Hawai`i Director Jeff Mikulina, an incandescent light bulb produces 130 pounds of greenhouse gas per year, compared with 30 pounds from a fluorescent bulb and 12 pounds from an LED bulb.
The Senate Energy and Environment Committee is considering separate bills to eliminate both incandescent light bulbs and polystyrene containers in the state of Hawai`i. The committee heard testimony yesterday from many concerned parties, including the Sierra Club, Hawai`i Foam Products, Hawaiian Electric Co. and the Department of Health.
Jeff Mikulina, director of Sierra Club’s Hawai`i chapter, told senators that polystyrene is a non-biodegradable material that is either landfilled or burned, causing greenhouse gas pollution. According to Mikulina, O`ahu households’ waste generation increased at a rate 10 times faster than the population growth from 1999 to 2006.
Senate Bill 2629 would aim to reduce waste generation, prohibiting the use of polystyrene foam takeout food containers in Hawai`i beginning Jan. 1, 2010 and making an appropriation for the Department of Health to find alternatives.
Hawai`i Foam Products, who estimates its distribution at 50 to 60 percent of all polystyrene containers in the state, testified in strong opposition to Bill 2629, stating that the bill’s passage would terminate its $4 million business and all of its employees.
Senate Bill 2842 establishes a statewide lighting efficiency standard for general purpose lights, phasing out incandescent bulbs and requiring the state Department of Health to develop a program for recycling fluorescent bulbs. The bill is part of the joint House-Senate Majority Caucus bill package. A representative from Hawaiian Electric Co. and Mikulina testified yesterday in strong support of the bill.
The Department of Health submitted testimony supporting the intent of bills 2629 and 2842, but respectfully opposed both measures, citing inadequate funding.
The Senate committee has rescheduled both bills for decision making on Tuesday.
SB 2629 Testimony
SB 2629 Late Testimony
SB 2842 Testimony
SB 2842 Late Testimony