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Environmental advocates press for public petition rights on state contamination thresholds; DOH urges flexibility for emergencies
Summary
Testimony at the Feb. 12 joint AEN hearing on SB 2094 pushed for transparent, science‑based environmental action levels and a community petition process after the Red Hill water crisis; Department of Health said it documents its scientific rationale (appendix 9) but warned that mandatory public‑hearing timelines could slow emergency response.
Environmental and health safety were central at the Feb. 12 joint Agriculture and Environment Committee hearing on SB 2094, a bill that would require state agencies to establish environmental action levels (EALs), publish scientific justification for them, and allow residents to petition for modifications.
Melody Adoha, testifying for the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, said SB 2094 is necessary to restore public trust after the Red Hill incident. "When standards fail to reflect science, it is our community to bear the harm," she said, arguing that benzene and other…
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