HAR §15-36-15. Approval of state permits

(a) When the coordinator accepts a permit plan application for a renewable energy facility that requires state permits, the renewable energy facilitator, on behalf of the energy resources coordinator, shall facilitate the timely processing of the permit plan with the state agency or agencies responsible for approving, monitoring, and enforcing the terms and conditions of the permit in accordance with the permit plan. (b) The facilitator, on behalf of the coordinator, may conduct discussions, meetings, conferences, or working groups with the agencies for the purpose of facilitating the timely processing of the permit plan, identifying all informational requirements necessary to obtain approval of the permit applications, and discussing the agency's preliminary evaluation of the sufficiency of the permit application. The agencies' duty to take diligent measures to complete processing and action as soon as practicable shall include the agencies' timely and meaningful participation in the discussions, 36-14 §15-36-15 meetings, conferences, or working groups conducted by the facilitator. (c) In the event a state agency denies a permit application under the permit plan, the coordinator shall request the agency to provide a written report to the coordinator and applicant setting forth in detail a complete list of all reasons supporting the denial of the permit application and all steps required to be taken by the applicant to obtain approval of the permit application. (d) Each appropriate state agency shall diligently endeavor to process and approve or deny any permit in the permit plan no later than twelve months after a completed permit plan application is approved by the coordinator. If the coordinator has given at least thirty days' written notice stating that the permit plan application is subject to this section and a permit is not approved or denied within twelve months after approval of a completed permit plan application, .the permitting agency, within thirty days following the end of the twelve-month period, shall provide the coordinator with a report identifying diligent measures that are being taken by the agency to complete processing and action as soon as practicable. If no further processing and action are reported by the permitting agency within five months following the end of the thirty-day agency report period, the coordinator may deem the permit approved. If a permitting agency fails to provide this report identifying diligent measures and if the permit has not been approved or denied within eighteen months following the approval of a completed permit plan application by the coordinator, the permit shall be deemed approved. [Eff. JUL O 12010 (Auth: HRS §201N-12) (Imp: HRS §§201N-4, 201N-5)