HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-03 Debra Green Testimony -Oppose
From:Debra Greene
To:WPCtestimony
Cc:Debra Greene, PhD
Subject:Debra Green Oppose Item #8
Date:Tuesday, September 3, 2024 10:05:26 AM
Aloha Windward Planning Commissioners,
I’m writing on behalf of Safe Tech Hawaii, a grassroots coalition of residents concerned about
the proliferation of wireless technology. Although we welcome an ordinance that offers some
protections for the public, we support Council Member Evans Bill 194. We find it very
confusing that there are now two ordinances on cell towers and antennas - this new one and
one introduced by Council Member Evans on August 20 that had previously been forwarded
to the Commission (see Exhibit B in item #8 packet).
We support Bill 194 submitted by CM Evans because we find it more protective of the public
health, safety and welfare. It clearly delineates a permitting process and protects vulnerable
communities such as schools, daycare centers and hospitals from intrusive tower and antenna
deployments in vulnerable communities that are often targeted by Telecom companies.
We find the Director’s proposed ordinance to be overly sympathetic to the
Telecommunications industry because it allows cell towers and antennas in all zoning districts,
with no permitting process whatsoever, and insufficient requirements for plan approval.
The Director’s proposed ordinance places near total control with Planning and Telecom
companies and does not include involvement with enough outside agencies. We believe this is
not a viable solution to bringing the County into compliance with state law. There is much
more to say about this but not enough time because of the holiday weekend and deadline.
In addition, we do not agree that police, fire, ambulance and other such services should be
automatically exempt from any requirements. Telecom companies have found a way to exploit
this provision in other jurisdictions to allow for unlimited deployments of their own
infrastructure. More scrutiny is necessary.
Further, we notice there is no insurance provision in the Director’s proposed ordinance.
Because radio frequency (RF) radiation is recognized as a pollutant by insurance companies,
it’s imperative that liability insurance be required, and that the required liability insurance
contain no pollution exclusion. Most General Liability Insurance policies have a ‘pollution
exclusion’ under which EMF/RF are listed as pollutants. The correct insurance must be
obtained from a licensed third party insurance company, not a self-insured indemnity
substituted by the Telecom or any company listed in the permit application or license
agreement.
Pollution Insurance for a municipality is part of any proper General Liability Insurance. It is a
basic right of any municipality to protect itself from lawsuits from citizens who claim harm
from RF towers. Such lawsuits could literally bankrupt the County.
Finally, a concern about this process. We find it challenging that the deadline for testimony
was on Monday of a long holiday weekend. Members of the community feel strongly about
this issue but we have lives. Government doesn’t work on holidays, yet we are expected to
discover agendas and meet testimony deadlines on holidays. Is this fair? To further complicate
matters, the online agenda says it was posted on August 8, but it was actually posted on
Friday, August 30, of a long holiday weekend. These factors make it very challenging for the
community to participate in a process on an issue that they care deeply about.
Thank you for your consideration of these important points. We hope you can understand why
we support Council Member Evans proposed ordinance that strikes a perfect balance between
the health, safety and welfare needs of the people and the needs of telecommunication
companies.
Sincerely,
Debra
__________________________________
Debra Greene, PhD
Founding Director
Safe Tech Hawaii
PHONE: 808-874-6441
WEBSITE: www.SafeTechHawaii.com
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