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<br />HENKEL: Well, yah, but I mean, what we’re hearing here today is that, that a month ago was a
<br />game changer, you know, I think up until a month ago, everybody would say, yeah, let’s do the
<br />study, it’s way too late and better late than never, but a month ago was a game changer, and I
<br />think that’s what a lot of the concern is out there right now. It’s a different ballgame.
<br />
<br />MELROSE: Well, I think the, the issue really is, we can’t go out to bid at all until there’s money
<br />enabled to do this, so this is an enabling act. The RFP is not a final RSP if the community or if
<br />we feel like it needs to have some additional thoughts to it, so I mean, I think there’s you know,
<br />and I speak for the Mayor’s office, but if there were specific ideas that could be added to the
<br />scope that would be integrated to it that makes sense. I think like Dr. Maddock said, the
<br />structure for that concern, for addressing the concern of the most recent event, is already in it.
<br />It’s not a very specific RFP. It doesn’t detail a lot of the details. It gives you the general context,
<br />and you have people come and give you their best science. So, I think delaying only sets us, sets
<br />the process back, and it doesn’t, it doesn’t going to accomplish anything different then just kind
<br />of opening the door for some additional thoughts to add to the RFP. It’s not a locked-down
<br />piece. But, we thought we’ve gotten it down based on the agreement of the community, and then
<br />the events happened, and so, what science could you do? I haven’t heard that science piece yet,
<br />but all of that is I think intended to be part of the next step, is to include these kinds of events as
<br />part of the study basis.
<br />
<br />HENKEL: One more question. Do you think it’d be possible for some of the people that have
<br />been you know gathering their own data like the Puna Pona Alliance to take part in the
<br />implementation of this so that they can help do the shaping that you’re talking about as it goes?
<br />
<br />MELROSE: I think both Bob and Tom were, have attended all of those sessions, shaped the
<br />existing RFP that’s there today, and if they have additional thoughts, then they should you know
<br />bring them forward. I think there’s not a—there’s specific ways. They have the draft of the RFP
<br />that we worked on and the content of it, the real heart of it. So, if there are additional thoughts
<br />and specific pieces of it, let’s hear it. Let’s, you know, let’s—the purpose is this is going to
<br />make this the best thing we can do. We’re trying to get to the best science in the best way and in
<br />the most responsible way so that at the end, it doesn’t become a one person study or another but
<br />it becomes the best way to get to the topic, and having Jay help us do this has been a big part of
<br />getting that clarity and understanding what this is. This is out of our wheelhouses, government
<br />employees in many ways, very helpful to do that. So, you know, I think the goal is not speed,
<br />but to get it right. This action is really about just, is the money available to do it. Is this a
<br />reasonable expenditure of geothermal asset funds, money. And if it is, then let’s go ahead and do
<br />it, and let’s make sure when we get it done, that we do it in the very best possible way.
<br />
<br />HENKEL: Thank you.
<br />
<br />MIYASATO: Any other questions, Commissioners? Thank you. Commissioners, any
<br />discussion? If not, I’ll accept a motion.
<br />
<br />HENKEL: I’m a little troubled by this, but I want the funding that’s been offered you know to,
<br />to be used, and to start, and hopefully, the area residents will be able to kind of help shape how
<br />it’s funded—maybe a good portion of it could go to the, you know, the Puna regional medical
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