COM 0492.006 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Post Office Box 30 PUNA 143860 Kapoho Pahoa Rd. ~iEOTHERMAL VENTURE Pahoa, Hawaii 96778 Telephone (808) 965-6233 Facsimile (808) 965-7254 ~ ~ - L~ ~ j.; ~ • 1 ~ . - December 1, 1997 The Honorable James Arak~ Chairman`and Members of the County Council HAWAII Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Chairman Arakaki and Members of the Hawaii County Council: Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the noise issues raised during the November 13, 1997, County Council meeting. We understand that several speakers expressed concerns over noise emissions resulting from Puna Geothermal Venture's ("PGV") operations. It was stated that PGV is exceeding noise levels established during mediation which were incorporated into PGV's Geothermal Resource Permit ("GRP") pursuant to condition 51. Actually, it is condition 50 of the GRP, not condition 51, that refers to the mediation that was held prior to issuance of the GRP. Furthermore, it should be noted that condition 50 does not incorporate any of the "Other Agreements and Recommendations" that were contained in section 5 of the mediation report as conditions of the GRP. Instead, condition 50 required PGV to submit semiannual status reports to the Planning Commission on PGV's "best efforts to address/comply with the "Other Agreements and Recommendations." In any event, the "Other Agreements and Recommendations" do not include an agreement by PGV to limit noise emissions to 40 dBA during evening hours and 55 dBA during the day. The only references to 40 dBA in the "Other Agreements and Recommendations" are found in paragraphs 3 and 6. There aze no references to 55 dBA. Pazagraphs 3 and 6 do not limit noise emissions from PGV's operations to 40 dBA. The two paragraphs read as follows: 3. Puna Geothermal Venture agrees that it will, with regard to noise, support residents seeking benefits from the asset fund who aze exposed to a measured ambient noise level of 40 dBA at their residences as a result of PGV's activity. (Afternoon session, August 16, 1989) 6. Puna Geothermal Venture agrees to complete, prior to the end of the first year following the commencement of full power plant operation, the final adjustment of control measures for noise generated during long term project operations. During this time, PGV has also agreed to make a good faith effort, on a case- by-case basis when requested by any resident, to minimize the impact of noise generated by project operations in excess of 40 dBA when measured at that residence. (Afternoon session, August 16, 1989) t:\jad\corces.out\county\971201.wpd (~looto? 1Iw 2 ~ O A Hawaii Partnership Dib x~, ~ ~ ~ ~ ~pr~senTed GovN teat. Deke_,jlF.r•.-t~--