Bill 48 in its final hearing - testify today

Bill 48—which requires any operator of underground storage tanks with a capacity of 100,000 gallons or more, to obtain a permit from the City and stipulates that no permit will be granted unless the applicant proves that the tank or tank system will not leak regulated substances into the environment—has its final hearing on Wednesday, February 23, at 10am.

This bill will further protect Oʻahu’s drinking water from the Red Hill tanks and ensure that tanks like these will never exist again. After five hearings, Bill 48 is in the final stretch!

Please take a moment to submit testimony (late testimony OK) and sign up to provide verbal testimony if can.

• Submit written testimony here: https://tinyurl.com/HnlCouncilTestimony

• Register to give oral testimony here: https://bit.ly/bill48-0223. Zoom testifiers are strongly encouraged to register at least 24 hours before the start of the meeting. 

  • Registrants will receive the Zoom link immediately and an email that contains links and information on joining the meeting by either phone or video conference. Remote testimony will be taken at the start of the agenda and then closed. 

Sample testimony

Meeting date: 2/23/22
Council/PH Committee: Council/public hearing
Agenda Item: Bill 48 CD2
Position: Support

Aloha Chair Waters, Vice Chair Kiaʻāina, and Councilmembers,

As a resident of Oʻahu and a water drinker, I strongly support Bill 48, requiring any operator of underground storage tanks with a capacity of 100,000 gallons or more, to obtain a permit from the City. It further stipulates that no permit will be granted unless the applicant proves that the tank or tank system will not leak regulated substances into the environment. We simply cannot permit underground storage tanks of that capacity or larger that pose such an immense threat of leaking and contaminating our environment and water supply.

The Red Hill facility – the fragile, antiquated fuel tanks and supporting systems – has a long history of leaking fuel into the surrounding environment and has already contaminated Oʻahu’s primary drinking water aquifer. Shutting down Red Hill immediately and entirely is the only way to guarantee the safety of our water and our people. 

Thank you for the opportunity to testify and for taking up this important measure at the council.

Sincerely,

<Your Name>