Report Title:

Counties; Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

 

Description:

Bars counties from adopting ordinance or rule that prohibits the installation of vertical axis wind turbines in any residential zoned area; provided that the vertical axis wind turbines meet certain height, output, and noise restrictions.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

289

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to vertical axis wind turbines.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  Chapter 46, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§46-    Vertical axis wind turbines; residential areas.  (a)  No county shall adopt any ordinance or rule that prohibits the construction or installation of any vertical axis wind turbine in any area zoned residential; provided that the vertical axis wind turbine does not:

     (1)  Exceed twenty-five feet in height;

     (2)  Have a rated power output greater than two kilowatts; and

     (3)  Emit a noise level greater than fifteen decibels.

     For the purposes of this section, "vertical axis wind turbine" means any equipment or apparatus that is designed to convert wind energy to useful electrical energy for heating, cooling, or reducing the use of other types of energy, and that utilizes a turbine system in which the main shaft runs vertically.

     (b)  Any ordinance or rule that conflicts with this section shall be void as against public policy."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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