HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0005.003 2012-2014 comments on Communication 5--zoning change for Hu Honua
for Hawai'i County Council Committee on Planning
1 PM Tuesday, December 18, 2012, West Hawai'i Civic Center
by Cory Harden, Box 10265, Hilo, Hawai'i 96721 mh @interpac.net 808-968-8965
Last year, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) reviewed Hu Honua's air permit from DOH
(Department of Health)...and "stopped just short of suggesting the data [were]...fraudulent", says the
Hawai'i Tribune-Herald.
EPA said it had never seen a stoker boiler the size of Hu Honua's that qualified as a "minor"source of
hazardous air pollutants. EPA also questioned if, under the permit, DOH would be able to enforce
pollutant standards.
EPA recommended another public comment period. But DOH refused. EPA also recommended new
permit conditions. But some were left out of the final permit.
UH-Hilo chemistry professor Jean-Pierre Michaud also raised concerns. Dioxins could be produced when
wood is burned, from chloride in sea salt in the wood. Hu Honua says it will not use bark or leaves, which
are more likely to have salt, and will test wood for chlorine before accepting it. But will the permit I just
discussed allow adequate monitoring for dioxins?
Residents raised more concerns:
• Wood with high moisture could cause incomplete combustion and higher emissions
• Ultrafine particulate emissions that are legally allowed can still cause health problems
• Wind data is not from the Hu Honua site—it's from the airport, which has completely different
wind patterns
• 21 million gallons per day of waste water could impact marine life
• The 40-year-old refabricated boiler may not hold up
• There would be around-the-clock noise from machinery
• Five to six logging trucks every hour would slow traffic and wear out roads
There are homes within 300 feet of Hu Honua. Residents have been struggling for several years to have
their concerns addressed. They sued the EPA three months ago over the air permit. They also
commented on the SMA(Special Management Area) permit, filed for contested case, and last month said
they were appealing a decision on the contested case.
HELCO (Hawaiian Electric Light Company) says Hu Honua will provide firm renewable energy at stable
prices. That seems unlikely if oil prices keep rising, increasing the cost of fertilizing, cultivating,
harvesting, and trucking. And with all that oil use, is Hu Honua really"green"?
Should we use so much land for fuel, or for food? If the ships stop coming, we only have a few days'
supply of food. so we need to start growing our own food.
Solar, wind, hydro, ocean waves, ocean thermal energy conversion, cooking oil biodiesel—there are
many alternatives to Hu Honua.
Comm. No. ' 3
Ref.To: P1 f C_
Ref. Date Cif C 1 8 2012