HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0710.141 2010-2012 Pat, 21,
Laura Testimony 19 June 2012
My Husband and I bought property in Kapoho about two years,
ago. We feel blessed with the natural beauty, the culture, and N "
the community. When we moved here I would have supported a
geothermal, thinking it a sustainable form ofenergy supporting
move away from carbon-based fuels. If using geothermal were to
cause me some personal inconvenience, I would have been
willing to live with that to support the greater good of the State.
But my position on that has changed as I have researched the
use of geothermal on the Big Island. My research indicates that
development of geothermal energy is not the best economic,
cultural, or technical use of the resources of the State of Hawaii.
As I have immersed myself in these issues, I have found the
following:
•The State routinely makes decisions on Oahu that profoundly
effect the Big Island without making any effort to develop
community support or to obtain meaningful input from the
community on the Big Island. For example, the State government
„..)mm. No 0 I41
Ref. Dote 1 9 2012
recently held meetings about bypassing environmental
review procedures for exploratory wells in Puna. Many
concerned people on the Big Island did not even know the
first meeting took place. Considering bypassing
environmental review was done at a time when geothermal
plants throughout the world (Switzerland, Germany, and
California) have been shutdown because of environmental
impact.
-The industry standards for using geothermal clearly state
that community evacuation and casualty plans must be
developed and practiced. The State of Hawaii has
deemed that an EPA plan is acceptable, again without
explaining it to the community or practicing the elements of
the plan.
•PGV itself has a history of being non-responsive to
community concerns. Historically, when things have gone
wrong at the plant, community members have been shut
out from what was happening. In fact, I have read a letter
from the head of Civil Defense for the State that discusses
the plant's lack of responsiveness to inquiry. I understand
that historical examples suffer because changes may have
been made, but I have been unable to find what changes
have been made. "Trying harder" is not an answer.
I would like to thank the County Council for their interest.
Where our concerns are met with disregard or di in
elsewhere, you are serving as a voice for community
concerns. I applaud you.