Public Utility Commission Issued Violation to SER Trucking for Sludge Spill

News Release from Office of Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine  December 4, 2013

(HONOLULU) — In a State Public Utility Commission (PUC) hearing this morning, Commissioners issued an order confirming a motor carrier violation for SER Trucking connected with the August 31st sludge spill on the H-1 freeway in Aiea.

SER Trucking is the company hired by the Hawaii Kai Marina Association's dredging company to transport tons of material dug up from the marina to a farmland on Waianae Valley Road. The dumping drew opposition from Councilmembers, State lawmakers and the community since the August 31st spill.  

“While today’s decision confirms SER Trucking is no longer in violation of State regulations, I will continue to do everything in my power, including exploring all legislative options to prevent this company or others from dumping marina sludge in our community,” Councilmember Pine said.

In addition to the State PUC, the City Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) has cited the company several times over the past four years, including recent citations in October, where the DPP fined SER $550 for running a trucking company on agriculturally zoned land. The DPP cited the company for a similar violation in 2009.

The PUC regulates passenger and property motor carriers. Property carriers are classified by the types of commodities transported and the nature of services performed, including commodities in dump trucks.

Councilmember Pine represents residents of District One (Ewa, Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Honokai Hale, Ko Olina, Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae, Makaha, Keaau, Makua) and chairs the Intergovernmental Affairs and Human Services Committee. 

******