The EPA just walked back Hawai‘i’s plan to retire its dinosaur power plants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has partially denied Hawai‘i’s 2024 Regional Haze State Implementation Plan, a key strategy aimed at reducing air pollution and improving visibility in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Haleakalā National Park. These parks are classified as Class I under the Clean Air Act, which mandates the highest level of air quality protection. The plan’s central element involved retiring two of Hawaiian Electric Co.’s (HECO) oldest oil-fired power units by 2028, including the Kahului plant unit commissioned in 1948. However, the EPA rejected this long-term closure plan, citing concerns over grid reliability and potential constitutional issues related to property rights. The EPA described the proposed shutdowns as “unconsented” and warned they could violate the Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which protects against the government taking private property without just compensation. This move marks a significant shift in federal enforcement of air quality regulations in Hawai‘i and echoes similar decisions in other states, such as Colorado, where the EPA also blocked plans to close coal plants. The decision aligns with broader federal policies aimed at maintaining energy dominance, which critics argue may undermine environmental protections. Environmental groups, including Earthjustice, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, have condemned the EPA’s decision, warning it will lead to increased pollution and harm to local communities and the natural environment. Isaac Moriwake, managing attorney at Earthjustice’s mid-Pacific office, described the ruling as a major setback for Hawai‘i’s environmental progress. Meanwhile, HECO acknowledges the challenge but maintains its commitment to retiring the aging plants. Vice President of Power Supply Mike DeCaprio emphasized the need for additional renewable energy infrastructure, such as biofuel plants, solar farms, and battery storage, to ensure a reliable transition away from fossil fuels. The EPA’s rejection of Hawai‘i’s haze plan highlights the complex balance between environmental goals, energy reliability, and legal constraints. It raises questions about the future of clean energy initiatives in the state and the federal government’s role in supporting or hindering efforts to reduce pollution in sensitive natural areas.