2016-06-02 Hearing Transcript - GAF Civil Defense

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in the Civil Defense Agency as Administrator for about three years. And, Darryl retired from the County on May 1st, 2016. You know, as a new person, having reviewed all the documentation that I think are before you, and having an opportunity to go out to the PGV plant last week with the Chief and other members from the Civil Defense Agency and an opportunity to also review the current plans on the shelf for the PGV and all that, I've got to say, I'm very, very comfortable in what this proposal is going to do. I think for one, of prime importance is how the community will benefit from this proposal. As a matter of fact, the Chief tells me that this was really community-based planning, the outcome of which was to have a recommendation for a research and study and an upgraded air quality model program. It really came from the community surrounding the plant. From an emergency response point of view in planning, you know, for us, planning is continuous, so this particular project can only benefit both the plant and Hawaii County Civil Defense and other State agencies in terms of looking what dispersion models can do, so we can update our plans accordingly. In the two-year period that the study or research will take place by Dr. Steven or Steve Businger, University of Hawaii at Manoa, who by the way is seated also in this particular room, we're going to be benefitting from his research on an on-going basis as well. That can help us again update certain things and our planning procedures. So, I've just got to say I'm very, very comfortable with the proposal, and I urge the Commission to approve that as soon as you can. I'd like to ask Chief Oliveira if he's got any comments as well. He's had detailed history with the plant, response planning, as well as responses. Chief? OLIVEIRA: Thank you, and good morning. Darryl Oliveira, Hawaii County Civil Defense former Administrator. And, as Mr. Texeira pointed out, you know, this will close a gap that we've had with identifying the likely or potential dispersion of releases from the plant so it's definitely going to provide additional tools and capability for our office, the Civil Defense Office, with being able to identify the risk the community is at when there is a potential release, and how that release impacts the community and guide what actions we would direct the community to take whether it's shelter in place or the need to evacuate. So, it's definitely going to provide that tool as well as support the proposed Health Study with what is the impact the community has experienced as well as what could be experienced with a release. So, thank you. HEAUKULANL Thank you. Commissioners, any questions for Mr. Texeira or Mr. Oliveira. Thank you, gentlemen. We do have a few people signed up to testify on this matter. I've got five on the list so I think we're going to pull one more chair up and ask all five of you to come forward so it's Christopher Biltoft, Steven Businger, Cory Harden, Mr. Petricci, and Paul Kuykendall. Thank you. Thank you. If you would all please raise your right hand, and do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on this matter now before the Planning Commission? TESTIFIERS: Yes/I do. 3 EXHIBIT C