HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0825.075 2012-2014 BIG ISLAND COMMUNITY COALITION
November 7, 2012
Hawaii County Council
' 25 Aupuni St
Hilo, Hi 96720
Opposition to Bill no 292. Geothermal drilling restrictions cp
Aloha Council Members;
STEERING COMMITTEE We-- Dave DeLuz Jr.,John Dill, Rockne Freitas, Michelle Galimba, Richard Ha,
Wallace Ishibashi, Kuulei Kealoha Cooper, D Noelani Kalipi, Ka'iu Kimura,
DAVE DE Luz Robert Lindsey. H.M. (Monty) Richards, Marcia Sakai,William Walters,who
are the steering committee of the Big Island Community Coalition (BICC), are
JOHN E.K. DILL opposed to Bill No 292, that proposes to prohibit geothermal drilling at night
due to noise concerns.
ROCKNE FREITAS
While we are aware of the serious safety issues that arise because of this
MICHELLE GALIMBA proposal, our primary concern is that it will cause electricity rates to rise. We
are opposed to rising electricity rates due to the adverse effects it will have on
the most vulnerable people on the Big Island--our kupuna on fixed incomes,
RICHARD HA single moms,the working homeless, small businesses.
WALLACE ISHIBASHI Rising electricity rates act like a giant regressive tax. The folks least able to
cope get affected the most. But it is worse; people who have the resources are
KU'uLEI KEALOHA COOPER incentivized to leave the grid while the remaining people who cannot leave
pay even more to support the grid.
D. NOELANI KALIPI
Energy prices have quadrupled in the last 10 years. Infrastructure and capital
KA'IU KIMURA investments have been foregone and employee benefits have been cut to the
bone. Many employees have been laid off.
ROBERT LINDSEY
Due to rising electricity rates totaling a million dollars UH Hilo have had to
H.M. "MONTH' RICHARDS cut 70 classes. Pinky's at Papaikou, a mom and pop convenience store has an
electric bill of$3,500 monthly.The owner says that if her electricity bill
doubles, she will likely go out of business.The North Hawaii Community
MARCIA SAKAI Hospital electric bill averages around $1.3 million annually.They cannot
imagine what will happen if their electricity rates double.
KUMu LEHUA VEINCENT
There are thousand reasons why NO CAN. The council should find the one
BILL WALTER reason why CAN solve the noise problem without raising the peoples
electricity bills.
The BICC have several hundred members and that number is growing every
day.We will let our members know which of the council people voted for
raising their electricity rates p _
Comm. I`!. O ZS, 7 c
Sincerely, Ref. To:
Richard Haaid'''.
Ref. Date