HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0710.069 2010-2012 Page 1 of 2
Murashige, Laura FYCø(4,IcjZ,
From: roblyn @ak.net on behalf of Roblyn Wiebe [roblyn @ak.net]
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 7:01 AM
To: counciltestimony @ co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: FW: Testimony for Bill 256, 257 and Res 277-12
From: Roblyn Wiebe [mailto:roblyn @ak.net]
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 8:56 PM
To: 'comayor @co.hawaii.hi.us'; 'bford @co.hawaii.hi.us'; 'dyagong @co.hawaii.hi.us';
'fblas @co.hawaii.hi.us'; 'phoffmann @co.hawaii.hi.us'; 'dikeda @co.hawaii.hi.us'; 'donishi @co.hawaii.hi.us';
'apilago @co.hawaii.hi.us'; 'bsmart@co.hawaii.hi.us'; 'jyoshimoto @co.hawaii.hi.us';
'planning @co.hawaii.hi.us' NNJ
Subject: Testimony for Bill 256, 257 and Res 277-12
To: Mayor Billy Kenoi
County Council Members
County Planning Department
of _
Date: July 17, 2012
From: Ken Pierce
13-640 Pohoiki Road
Pahoa, HI 96778
Testimony as related to County Bill 256, Bill 257 and Res 277-12:
My wife, Roblyn, and I have lived on Pohoiki Road,just under one mile from the geothermal plant, for four
years. We began construction on a permitted house a year ago and got the roof on just as geothermal
expansion started. (Drilling) Our enthusiasm has waned, with the environmental changes, but we have
proceeded with other construction phases because we need a house to live in.
Further expansion of PGV at its current site would be a game changer for us as we cannot tolerate any
increase in noise level and other health threats. PGV would have shattered our dreams and we will bail
out. That is an agonizingly difficult prospect but I also know how miserable we would be to try and
"adjust" to the new obnoxious conditions.
Expect that with further geothermal expansion there will be larger than ever numbers of people applying
for relocation money from the county. Also expect the one mile buffer zone will be challenged in court
(maybe 2, 5 or 10 miles would be more appropriate) and certainly any lowering of the 130% of assessed
value, for buyouts, would be unacceptable.
The remarks made by County Planning Director Leithead-Todd in the July 6th Tribune Herald pertaining to
relocation requests were outrageous and insulting and fodder for a variety of lawsuits. I can easily
imagine there are numerous high profile lawyers who would love to represent the lower Puna
neighborhood versus the County of Hawaii.
When I submitted my application for a building permit, why was I not told of geothermal expansion plans?
I then could have made a decision as to whether I still wanted to build at this location.
Guaranteed, the headaches coming out of this PGV site are just beginning. Do the right(and smart) thing 10 41%)(1 Comm. No.
Ref. To:
Ref. Date AUL 19 2012
7/18/2012
Page 2 of 2
and just move it to a remote site. In addition, concentrate on non-controversial solar energy.
In summary, I am in support of Bill 256 (Draft 2), Bill 257 (Draft 2) and Res 277-12.
Sincerely,
Ken Pierce
7/18/2012