Caldwell: Hawaii Constitution Bans Nuclear Power
“Our state of Hawaii has a constitutional amendment that bans nuclear power generation.”
That’s what mayoral candidate Kirk Caldwell said in a debate aired by Monday. You can listen to the debate (Caldwell’s comment begins at minute 17:10).
But does Hawaii really have an amendment banning nuclear power?
Not quite.
in the Hawaii Constitution says: “No nuclear fission power plant shall be constructed or radioactive material disposed of in the State without the prior approval by a two-thirds vote in each house of the legislature.” The provision was added during the 1978 Constitutional Convention.
This is certainly a hurdle for anyone trying to bring nuclear power to the state – a large one. But a ban?
No.
Nuclear power could theoretically have a future in Hawaii with the support of a supermajority in both houses of the Legislature.
It’s worthwhile to make the distinction between a ban and a high bar because it affects how we talk about nuclear power.
