March 10, 2022 — State senators are pushing forward a measure to set the minimum distance power-generating wind turbines must be from Hawaii’s shores as part of an effort to meet a state-mandated goal of using 100% clean energy by 2045.
Senate Bill 2535, introduced by Sen. Chris Lee whose district includes parts of the Windward side of Oahu, originally called for prohibiting turbines closer than 12 miles from shore, but that proposition failed in two key Senate committees.
On Tuesday, the Senate approved a revised measure that does not set a limit, leaving it up to the House to decide how many miles wind turbines must be from shore. The bill passed on a vote of 23-2.
Lee said the bill is meant to steer Hawaii away from fossil fuels, reduce the cost of electricity and reduce the impact on coastal communities previously affected by land-based wind turbines.
Read the full story at the Honolulu Civil Beat