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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER AND ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY <br /> DATE: September 18, 2012 RE: Comm. No. 825/Bill No. 292 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 8:30 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability, to which was referred <br /> Bill No. 292, reports as follows: <br /> Bill No. 292, transmitted by Council Chair Dominic Yagong via Communication No. 825, dated <br /> August 29, 2012, amends Chapter 14, General Welfare, Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, <br /> as amended), relating to geothermal drilling. <br /> The purpose of this bill is to create a new article to restrict geothermal drilling to the operating <br /> hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. if the drilling is being conducted one mile or less from a <br /> residence. <br /> There were seven testifiers from the Hilo Council Chambers: four spoke in support, two spoke in <br /> opposition and one provided comment. There were 13 testifiers from the Pahoa Council Office: <br /> ten spoke in support and three provided comment. <br /> Mr. Yagong explained that the impetus for introducing this bill was when he personally <br /> experienced the effects of the drilling while attending a meeting in Lanipuna subdivision, which <br /> is adjacent to Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV). He described the noise as very loud and <br /> excruciating. The residents explained to Mr. Yagong that it is very difficult for them and their <br /> children to sleep at night. <br /> Mr. Yagong addressed some concerns that were raised during public testimony on whether the <br /> Council has jurisdiction. He explained that this bill does not infringe on the authority of the <br /> Department of Health or Planning Department. Department of Health monitors the decibels, and <br /> this bill has nothing to do with monitoring noise levels. This bill does not tell the Planning <br /> Department that PGV cannot drill, so they can still issue drilling permits. Mr. Yagong <br /> emphasized that this bill is a bill of commonsense and common decency, and the Council has <br /> jurisdiction over the health and welfare of the people of the County of Hawai`i. The County <br /> cannot ignore that people are suffering from sleep deprivation. Mr. Yagong shared that he spoke <br /> with Paul Thomsen, Director of Ormat/PGV, and was told that there are measures that they can <br /> take, such as using technology to mitigate the noise. <br /> AWESC Report No. 5 <br />