HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0764.000 2010-2012 J+1V es..... FRED BLAS
DOMINIC YAGONG ;:cR• ��1.
Chair&Presiding Officer �y.� BRENDA FORD
.; �.'� , //, ;. : PETE HOFFMANN
K. ANGEL PILAGO _ DONALD IKEDA
Vice Chair +fri► `% DENNIS"FRESH"ONISHI
•• E OF 00'.- BRITTANY SMART
J YOSHIMOTO
HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai`i
Hawai`i County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
t'"
June 19, 2012
Memo To: Members of the Hawai`i County Council
w
From: "" Dominic Yagong, Chairperson w
Hawai`i County Council
Subject: Power Point Presentation by Innovations Development Group
Attached please find a request for a power point presentation that is being done by the
Innovations Development Group to provide an update regarding the passage of state
legislation relating to geothermal energy. One hour will be a sufficient for this presentation,
including time for questions and answers from the Council Members.
Pleases refer to the appropriate committee meetings to be scheduled on July 2, 2012.
DY/la
Comm. No. lb q
Ref. Toe A WESC,
Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island Date 1 9 2D#Z
wito,
DNELOPMENT GROUP zb
May 4, 2012
Aloha ChairYagong & Hawaii County Council Members,
I am forwarding this request to the Council on behalf of the Innovations Development Group.
We are requesting the opportunity to make a I hour presentation to.the Council re:
•
1) Our geothermal development & business model; •
2) The proposal we have submitted to the HELCO's Request for Interest (RFI) for
development of a 50 megawatt project on HAWAII ISLAND;
3) The passage of significant State legislation relating to geothermal development which
eradicate geothermal subzones and streamline the process for development,and
4) The outcome of our legal research into allegations relating to the detrimental health
. effects of geothermal development.
The Innovations Development Group (IDG) is a Hawaii based renewable energy
Development Corporation owned by Native Hawaiians, It was created to facilitate the development of
renewable energy resources of native people. In summer 20 I I we presented our development model
to legislators of the Energy & Land Committees.The IDG model incorporates legal criteria enunciated
by Hawaii Courts in the Pele Defense cases,as well as protections set forth in the UN Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Our model is supported by the Hawaiian Civic Clubs, the Hawaiian
Chamber of Commerce and the State Office of Hawaiian Affairs.We believe we have solutions for the
many issues & community concerns that are currently being expressed on Hawaii Island by groups &
individuals who have yet to propose affordable and culturally appropriate solutions.
The IDG inquired months ago about presenting its package to the Council & was told that the
appropriate way to proceed was to present first to the appropriate Council Committee and thereafter
to request to present to the full Council. On Apr a 3rd 2012 the IDG as set to present to the Council
for 30 minutes at 1 0:00 am.We were not notified of this & learned about it through a community
email. When our effort to reschedule the presentation '(because of legislative hearings on the
geothermal bills) could not be accommodated, we sent 2 members of our team to Hilo for. the
meeting. Our representatives (Pat Brandt & Robbie Cabral) were made to waft 6 hours for a 20
minute presentation, taken last on the agenda, and were subjected to harassment, verbal & physical
threats, intimidation & bullying by persons who attended the meeting.The County Clerk witnessed this
conduct & recommended police follow-up, which we are pursuing. NO security was available at the
April 2nd meeting.
Subsequently,those who oppose geothermal development were allowed 1 %2 hours to present
to the full County Council on their perspectives at a Special Meeting of the Council.They were not
referred to a Council Sub-Committee, nor were they limited in time to 20 minutes.We would like the
same opportunity.
•
2990 PACFIC HE1cMTs RD, Hors, H1 9681 3 I OFriCE: 808 536 0434 ! FAX: 808 536 0274 1 rDGHAWAll.WWM∎A
•
We are concerned that the Council is contemplating imposing restrictions on future geothermal
development because of issues & problems which do not relate to current efforts to pursue
development by others, including the IDG, with clean technology, equitable benefits and fair rates. In
addition, Council members have already made statements indicating that the Council will be
implementing restrictions on development because of allegations relating to negative health impacts by
persons who have been unable to prove their case in court.
• For these reasons we are requesting that the Council afford the IDG the same consideration it
has extended to the PDF.We are aware that the Council will be setting a presentation for the PGV to
respond to allegations relating to health, and are agreeable to accommodating that time frame if this will
facilitate the Councils Schedule.
Please respond at your earliest convenience so that we can contact our team members & •
prepare.We look forward to working with the Council as we implement our States energy priorities.You
may contact me directly at phone: 808 536 0434 (offce) or 808 386 0435 (cell) or by email to
pkbrandtaaol.com or infoaidghawaii.com.
We appreciate the time and attention you have made available to gather input and perspectives •
from the community and would appreciate the opportunity to give the Council an update including
current information on the technology of Geothermal today.
Aloha,
•
• Patricia K. Brandt
CEO •
Innovations Development Group Inc.
•
•
•
•
•