HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0710.113 2010-2012 Page 1 of 2
P/CouNCLL
Murashige, Laura/. �L
From: info @green247.org
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 11:59 AM T
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony in support of producing Draft 3 for Bill 256 andopposing Draft 5 of Bill 152
On Thursday, July 26, 2012, from around 9:30 AM to around 11 AM, a wind current was
blowing sulfuric-smelling air from the direction of Puna Geothermal Ventures into my worksite:
where I was repairing an automobile. From around 10 AM until afternoon, the data from PGV
Monitors A, B and C were not available over the Internet at 64.29.77.190/pgv/pub.asp. My
phone call to the PGV response line was not promptly returned. The PGV information line —
contained a recording that referred only to Wednesday. At that time, I did not have any PGV
employee cell phone number on hand. Even taking time to do that research, I could not know if
PGV had a blowout or leak. I was relieved that I could wear a gas mask until I received a call
from Mike Kaleikini. Mike Kaleikini refused to identify the operations taking place that day.
The SO2 levels displayed at http://www.hiso2index.info/ indicated that the abovementioned
sulfur smell was not from the volcano. The daytime wind at my worksite almost always blows in
from the east-northeast in the summer. That day, the rain clouds were moving in from the east-
northeast wherever they could be detected on the big island, according to the image loop
displayed at http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/hawaii_loop.php. The PGV EIS had informed me
that the wind customarily blows from east to west during daylight hours.
From 9 to 11 AM on Thursday, July 26, 2012, PGV failed to notify the public of: its activities
planned; of its electrical problem; of its emission of H2S; and, the wind direction and speed.
With so many failures all in one morning, I can imagine the stress levels of those who did not
have a gas mask.
Stress causes physiological damage. The stress of enduring PGV's failures may be compared
with the stress of moving. The affected individual must be enabled to make a decision between
the two, in order to retain the free exercise of the right to self-care and the right to self-govern.
The probability of all of those failures happening at the same time is measurable. PGV finished
drilling because a resource was located. Mike Kaleikini did not disclose how PGV could attach a
pipe from that resource to the plant without emitting large quantities of H2S.
PGV provides several H2S monitors and an H2S alarm system for its employees. The PGV
system for employee notification of measured H2S is redundant in order to provide a safeguard
for employees. In contrast, the PGV system for public notification of measured H2S is not
redundant. Evidently, there are only three public monitors, and those are at equal heights.
Evidently, that system has only one server and only one electrical source. There is no backup
server or backup electrical generator. The public is unlikely to learn about a leak or blowout
unless Mike calls everyone with candid information.
Last night,there was a strong wind blowing in from the east-northeast. After the Thursday leak
or "fugitive emissions" that may be concluded by a preponderance of the evidence, I felt
empathy for those who sleep downwind of PGV. There is a concern that such leak could happen
in the middle of the night. Empathy is the most valuable form of compassion. Mike Kaleikini
commutes from Hilo at great expense to his health. Perhaps he has found that it is healthier to be
sedentary than it is to live near PGV. Each commuting PGV employee should purchase one of
the homes within a one-mile radius of PGV. That would solve several problems. That would
increase their time available for physical exercise. That would strengthen their empathy. That
would reduce traffic. That would prevent condemnation of the neighborhood. That would
prevent plummeting of property values. The mayor is right that the bill is unnecessary if
everyone does all they can to set things right.
Islanders pay a premium for distributed electricity. Most pay with their hard-earned dollars.
Comm. No. 710•(
Ref. To: J
Ref. Date AUG 0 1 2012
7/31/2012
Page 2 of 2
Some pay with their health. Anyone who profits from those financial and human resources should
compensate those humans for their resources.
Even though I work near PGV, I am off the grid. With my health, I unwillingly pay for others' luxuries.
With my time, I am paying forward for the restoration and protection of the health of all involved.
Bill 256 Draft 2 might be in error. Section 2-180(2) states that "Proceeds from the sale of properties
purchased under this program" shall pay for the public safety program. Since those properties purchased
under 2-178 "shall be held uninhabited by the County", then the County is purchasing those properties
from the current residents and holding them rather than selling them. The implication is that the public
safety program shall be funded by those current residents, who shall thus use the proceeds from their
sale to the County of those properties. There is a question as to whether the legislators intended that
implication.
Bill 152 is unnecessary. The County Clerk may hire civil servants as needed. Council members may
already hire private attorneys and other counsel for their personal benefit using their own resources.
Individuals have to hire their own counsel and attorneys, if needed. Presumably, councilmembers can
hire attorneys for themselves, if needed. Why should the taxpayer fund such support for one class of
citizens and neglect everyone else?
Bill 152 implies: "Council staff attorneys shall be exempt from civil service" and may provide criminal
service instead, or may function in the best interests of someone other than the public.
I have seen the standard contract between an attorney and client. It states that the client will pay a
billable rate. It also states that the client will meet with the attorney whenever the attorney so directs. In
other words, the unscrupulous attorney can milk the taxpayer indefinitely. Evidently, law schools do not
screen out unscrupulous students before conferring upon them a JD degree. Bill 152 Draft 4 does not
identify any counsel or attorney for public scrutiny. Apparently, Bill 152 Draft 4 asks for public
approval of an unlimited amount of tax dollars to be spent on an indefinite contract with unidentified
contractors. I oppose writing the proposed blank check to the unidentified parties.
Bill 152 Draft 5 implies that councilmembers anticipate litigation. Councilmembers should identify that
litigation so that taxpayers can evaluate the merit of expending taxes upon it.
Thank you for your time and assistance.
/s/Elisabeth Green, Master of Science, for herself, in the Puna District
7/31/2012