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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> April 24, 2007 <br /> <br /> Mayor Harry Kim -r-rfqc 0 Al 60T <br /> County of Hawai'i 14 To <br /> 25 Aupuni Street ~EneK DAf-g~o A2ch awg) <br /> Hilo, Hi 96720 <br /> <br /> and <br /> <br /> Hawai'i County Council Members: <br /> <br /> Donald Ikeda Brenda Ford Dominic Yagong <br /> Pete Hoffman Stacy Higa Emily Naeole <br /> Bob Jacobson Angel Pilago J Yoshimoto <br /> Dear Mayor Kim and Honorable Council Members: <br /> <br /> On Weds April 4"', I attended RW Beck's "Opala-to-Electricity" (WTE) presentation to <br /> the HI Island Chamber of Commerce and Japanese Chamber of Commerce. In their <br /> glossy flyer, they asked the question, "Is It a good idea for Hawai'i County?" After <br /> listening to their presentation, reading their literature, doing some research on the <br /> internet, reading articles in the newspaper and discussing this issue with other <br /> residents, the answer to this question should be: NO - WTE is not a good idea for <br /> Hawai'i County. <br /> <br /> Basically, it scared me when they stated that no new operations have been built <br /> since 1995: so how can they claim that their system will work here? How can they <br /> claim that "WTE facilities help reduce greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere." <br /> Help reduce -by how much? They were very 'slippery' in responding to this <br /> question. <br /> <br /> The Big Island already has its own natural 'incinerator- The Volcano. Why would <br /> we opt to put more pollutants in the air and in the ground - the toxic ash residue, <br /> which would have to be trucked to the West Hawaii Landfill, as the unlined Hilo <br /> landfill must close. I see other alternatives. <br /> <br /> If you look at the input/output of the proposed WTE plant vs. adopting a Zero Waste <br /> (Recycling) approach, the health, cost and difference to the County are vast. <br /> <br /> WTE <br /> Input Cash - $40million and many more dollars year, after year (forever) <br /> Waste - 90% of East Hawaii's waste after specific recyclables taken out <br /> <br /> Output Some recyclables - metals, beverage containers, glass, <br /> Some electricity (but HELCO's part was barely mentioned.) <br /> Greenhouse gases (added to our already, at times, harsh VOG) <br /> Toxic ash - which must be dealt with - trucked to West Side posing <br /> possible dangers of accidents and spillage. <br />