HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0269.019 2022-2024 p/Counci f
Res. 163-2S
COMM. 269
From: Jeffrey Mermel
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2023 1:09 PM
To: . Council Testimony
Cc: Manago, Dawn;Jenn Kagiwada County Council District#2; Kanealii-Kleilder�-lVy Iatt;
Villegas, Rebecca w ; ;.
cl
Subject: Please OPPOSE Resolution 163 (Hydrogen) =:r
Aloha members of Hawai'i County Council, -r�r'
I strongly Oppose Resolution 163(Hydrogen)
Resolution 163,which will only have one hearing, authorizes the Mayor to execute agreement terms unknown with cities in
California and Japan which host hydrogen corporations.The purpose is to "advance towards a hydrogen society".This is a RED
FLAG ®to pass sweeping,vaguely worded commitments,with minimal debate and less than a week's notice to the public.
Our trust is stretched thin.This isn't the first time we have seen the council rushing to'innovate'without a diligent process.
The last time was Resolution 73,which supported up-ending the entire county solid waste plan in three short years to benefit
the Yummet corporation.
Resolution 73 passed before receiving an in-depth report from Doug Adams,the Hawai'i County Director of Research and
Development Management,who was sent to assess Yummet's operations on the continent.Voting in favor of a special interest
pushing a questionable agenda is already a breach of faith. Doing so without making an effort to hear from and interrogate the
county agency charged with conducting due diligence regarding that special interest is inexcusable.
Here we are again, Res 163 is a rushed, ill-informed, extremely vague proposed resolution that has not made a clear case that
it is in the interest of our people or'aina.
NOT economically,
NOT environmentally.
NOT a sound or just, energy commitment. It is a gamble on an emerging energy sector that has an inestimable timeline to ROI
and inestimable unintended negative impacts.
Unanswered questions I have are;
-Why the big rush?
-How does this not compete with the state's"Hawaii Pacific Hydrogen Hub" initiative?
-Is the county council aware of the details of the agreement and our commitment of staff time or funds?
-How is this not a distraction from other more pressing demands on county staff resources to provide oversight and managing
protections for family housing, potable water,wastewater, roads, local food ag,etc.?
The council would be blatantly abdicating its responsibility to taxpayers if it approves the vague language in Resolution 163
and authorizes the Mayor to"execute, on behalf of the County an agreement,and related documents. . ."
Please take the time to understand the facts around this resolution and allow the public also to understand the promises and
impacts. Passing anything this vague is corrosive and will damage our trust in you,our current council of representatives.
Mahalo for your time and consideration,
Jeffrey Mermel
P.o. Box 342
Volcano HI Comm. No. 21.(q
96785
Ref. To: pi what
l
1 Ref. Date MAY - 3 2023