[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6224580,"mediaKeyId","3550042-850846f9764d9edece3389e8ea9678c8","parentId",3550042,"title","Honolulu reviews H-POWER operations, ash‑recovery plan and potential replacement technologies","audioSeconds",1797,"startMs",547000,"endMs",2344000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3550042-850846f9764d9edece3389e8ea9678c8&start=547&end=2344","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3550042-850846f9764d9edece3389e8ea9678c8/thumbnail_547000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6224580/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Honolulu-reviews-H-POWER-operations-ashrecovery-plan-and-potential-replacement-technologies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224580-9fad0fa8bbf4e81c63a8bbaecfcbcfe4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770401448&Signature=azPmgxUzZMNO4Pu-3m1mvQq98FHutDkbQjQZV9K7LF0BuEaS29ZtUbOu9rOhh2bTK3dlm~LLi~R-7vCqATs~bK8auyarIn6fuB27clLm4eY75tyn2BZvP6paNq-bA6GDQmMQHSQlPvUhfas4O5~oxfenlBPQLeqdYwhPLo1zZdz6DXWOlhMwdedti0BvQIBp1y6cZkRipr4D~cWwewZ--noVyg5a3w2mcLwfsC~k82hmJTkB-PcUqvjEGVdToioypjN8BBF5Smlc6xkK7MLqY8YfBGPROAK-M56RaqvGMlRqw8NLm377IxPXW9Bg2QWJ-Sjq2zTgR0-8tmhk7Mpq7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Honolulu, HI","date","2025-05-28T16:21:56.257Z","article","Roger Babcock, director of the Department of Environmental Services, gave the committee an overview of Honolulu’s waste‑to‑energy operations and plans to reduce ash sent to Waimanalo Gulch Landfill.

Babcock said H-POWER, the city’s waste‑to‑energy complex, runs multiple lines and currently exports about 70 megawatts of electricity to Hawaiian Electric. “The net output when everything’s running is 70 megawatts,” he said, and later stated that the city’s electricity revenue from the facility “equates to about $70,000,000 per year.”

Why it matters: H-POWER’s energy sales and the volume of ash it produces affect landfill demand, city revenue and choices about future facilities. Babcock told the committee the city is pursuing an ash processing project intended to reduce ash volumes and recover additional metals and construction aggregate from bottom ash.

Details: H-POWER consists of an older refuse‑derived fuel (RDF) processing operation with about a 2,000‑ton‑per‑day design (historically operating near 2,200 tons/day) and a 2012 mass‑burn boiler that can process roughly 900 tons per day. Combined gross turbine capacity is about 88 megawatts; after facility use the net exported power is about 70 megawatts. H-POWER produces two ash streams: bottom ash and fly ash. The city’s planned Enhanced Material Recovery Facility (EMRF, also described as the Hawaii Advanced Resource Recovery / HARA project) would separate and condition those ashes, further process bottom ash into an aggregate substitute for asphalt or concrete, and recover more ferrous and nonferrous metals.

Babcock said the ash‑recovery facility is in permitting and design and that the Department of Health permit to reuse ash is required before construction will proceed. He described the expected landfill impact: combined ash currently produces about 20 truckloads per day to the landfill; with the ash recovery facility, ash truck trips would fall to roughly eight per day in the city’s projections.

On facility life and replacement: Babcock said the RDF processing lines are aging and that EPA draft emission rules for RDF facilities could require expensive air‑pollution control upgrades. He said the city is evaluating a range of replacement options and intends to solicit proposals rather than preselect a technology, and that proposals commonly require long‑term contracts to recover capital costs. “We will keep it running for as long as necessary,” he told the committee, referring to the RDF lines while a replacement is designed, permitted and constructed.

Alternative technologies under review include mass‑burn, pyrolysis/gasification and emerging processes that producers and vendors have proposed. Babcock described evaluation criteria that favor technologies with operating references and multi‑year track records and noted the challenge of scaling emerging solutions to the island’s tonnages.

Council questions raised private vendors and pilot options. Babcock said the city has met with multiple technology vendors, including firms proposing microwave‑ or plasma‑based processes, and that pilots or visits to operating facilities are part of the evaluation.

Ending: The city will not construct the ash processing plant without a Department of Health permit and will continue a 30‑year functional plan and a 10‑year capital program that consider energy production, residuals and long‑term contracts for any new technology.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-05-27 Housing Sustainability Economy & Health","oneSentenceSummary","Roger Babcock, director of the Department of Environmental Services, gave the committee an overview of Honolulu’s waste‑to‑energy operations and plans to reduce ash sent to Waimanalo Gulch Landfill.","taxTitle","Honolulu City, Honolulu County, Hawaii","taxId",61746,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6224572,"Honolulu outlines convenience centers, curbside food‑waste plan and reuse pilot at Kapaʻa transfer station",591,713000,1304000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3550042-850846f9764d9edece3389e8ea9678c8&start=713&end=1304","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3550042-850846f9764d9edece3389e8ea9678c8/thumbnail_713000.jpg","/articles/6224572/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Honolulu-outlines-convenience-centers-curbside-foodwaste-plan-and-reuse-pilot-at-Kapaʻa-transfer-station","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224572-ab9bae26451e6033953283e850fad3d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770401448&Signature=LxXWU2VCWGLSXegbW8DcT-w3clFcopYO1LM5v1TKkTiwOJCjIHBbYkxQl1zJJOXNTeqahoUkNTivLwF7q9d4PRee9aychNOlfufPXbSiinPpEOBs5efFWU13b9E55ATxuCSVH4SPuCUPdOVkZzLiEsKAuoscjhxTFaDeitkOhtPtVaAflKXJo0JncLGpU9bLXzbLbOInJOZrDd2cjvFYoZZOScp97ql3TkQZH9NcFapTNTIf7-hrPC0dUNuNeL2oV4o~vzccItRqShd-9Cj7F2aB0bM4Jljsx2mk9u-ucQNfbpCFSO4o3I75oOKXIAzcGYSpsC17lhJqdoM0PKXRhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Environmental Services told the committee how residents can use city convenience centers and transfer stations, and previewed a curbside food‑waste rollout and a weekend reuse pilot.

Babcock summarized the network of seven city convenience centers (Waimanalo, Waianae, Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Laie and Wahiawa) and three transfer stations (Kapaʻa in Kailua, Kawailoa in Haleiwa, and Keʻilihau/Keʻehi on Middle Street in Honolulu). He said convenience centers are city‑owned, open seven days a week from about 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and are free to residents; only businesses must use transfer stations or pay for disposal.

What’s new: Babcock said e‑waste has been accepted at all convenience centers for about two months. He also described a weekend pilot starting May 31 at the Kapaʻa transfer station in Kailua in partnership with Reuse Hawaii and Goodwill Hawaii to accept household items and deconstruction materials for resale or reuse; the pilot will be evaluated through November for tonnage and feasibility.

Curbside organics: Babcock said the department plans to start curbside food‑waste collection for residents beginning next April and that the city will run a public information campaign before the full rollout. The department is upgrading the Hawaiian Earth Recycling compost facility in Wahiawa to accept food waste; green cart materials already go there and the facility accepts green waste free for residents.

Other services and contractors: White goods and appliances on site are deconstructed by a contractor for fluid removal and metal recycling. Cars are processed by a private shredder contractor; the remaining auto shredder residue (ASR) currently goes to landfill. Household tires are accepted (residents may bring up to four tires to a convenience center); business tire disposal is handled by private tire recyclers. Babcock said a metal‑recycling contractor handles ferrous and nonferrous metals, and that e‑waste is collected and exported to mainland processors under a vendor contract.

Ending: The department said it will report pilot results and rollout schedules to the council and that education and phased pilots will precede any islandwide changes to curbside collection.","Director Babcock described city convenience centers and transfer stations, new e‑waste acceptance, a pilot reuse program with Reuse Hawaii and Goodwill starting May 31 at Kapaʻa transfer station, and a plan to start curbside food‑waste collection next April with a public education pilot earlier.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6224576,"Committee briefed on landfill siting limits as state law tightens siting options",221,2771000,2992000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3550042-850846f9764d9edece3389e8ea9678c8&start=2771&end=2992","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3550042-850846f9764d9edece3389e8ea9678c8/thumbnail_2771000.jpg","/articles/6224576/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Committee-briefed-on-landfill-siting-limits-as-state-law-tightens-siting-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224576-c5cbd343e1b9b70750c9c3960e9dcf9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770401448&Signature=n6IOMAagLrxIW-tVMlnGEY-DuIeB0wdqHGLWESY1hg8m2IhxKzoo2euv7tgGxU~yXubb0ZGb6LQR2MSdWQoHJQ1xztJFL2se5xwKYfg8iIGPv72gHvuCNi29jFMH0HEmFixWQ5yTy4YeqklUO8m7oyu2AcFnKgtABqh3hntuDED5nIWEgoUMt6un-1LIJ8-06gJLEw9wwP3VsEXFmrVm8SAD3xWr7Up3a5gWmpAlrSd3LEhuFCway~3YT3JCZeD26fmXbEQkLEnZoW6L2HnrlzONFeIhtnNYrXSxKrCGL~vQ5kYqKJgiK~rIqrZBYC0qQfO1Ly7jNIxd7-pKBfZwPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee was briefed on landfill siting history, permit deadlines and new state limits that reduce available land for a future Waimanalo Gulch replacement.

Roger Babcock, director of the Department of Environmental Services, reviewed the 2019 Land Use Commission decision that extended the permit for Waimanalo Gulch Landfill with conditions that included a closure date in 2028 and earlier requirements to identify a replacement site. He told the committee the city later requested and received an extension to the naming deadline and that in December 2024 the city named a site northeast of Wahiawa.

Why it matters: State law changes and federal permitting requirements affect where Honolulu may build a new landfill and how long current facilities may continue accepting waste.

Regulatory changes and timeline: Babcock described Act 73 (2020), which added a half‑mile buffer between a waste facility and residential property lines, hospitals or schools and barred sites on conservation lands. He also described a recently passed bill, cited as House Bill 969, which for islands with populations greater than 500,000 prohibits landfills on Class A agricultural lands and inside the Department of Health’s underground injection control (UIC) line; Babcock said that measure is effective July 1, 2025 and applies to Oʻahu.

Babcock told the committee that after the Landfill Advisory Committee reviewed candidate sites it recommended asking the Land Use Commission for an extension to continue evaluating options, and that the Navy denied certain military‑land requests (the Waipio Peninsula site). He also described a mapping exercise the department ran showing that the UIC and other buffers leave a substantially reduced land area—he said roughly 15 percent of the island area remained outside the UIC line in that analysis.

On protective standards and monitoring: Babcock summarized federal landfill design standards (40 C.F.R. part 258), including dual liners, leachate collection, and groundwater monitoring. He said that Waimanalo Gulch’s monitoring has shown no leachate detections since 1989 and emphasized operational controls including a limit on leachate depth in cells.

Ending: The department is integrating the state restrictions and advisory‑committee findings into its 30‑year functional plan and will return to the council with follow‑up information on permitting, the Department of Health review, and alternative approaches to reduce landfill demand.","Director Babcock summarized Land Use Commission deadlines, recent state laws that add buffers and agricultural limits, and the city’s naming of a new site in December 2024; he said the city must integrate the new restrictions into its landfill planning.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Honolulu reviews H-POWER operations, ash‑recovery plan and potential replacement technologies

Honolulu outlines convenience centers, curbside food‑waste plan and reuse pilot at Kapaʻa transfer station

Committee briefed on landfill siting limits as state law tightens siting options