HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0421.047 2012-2014 7 4
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Russell Ruderman Naturals Markets Island
President Hilo,Kona,Mauka, & Pahoa
9/16/13
In SUPPORT of Bill 129, Hydraulic Fracturing Policy
Dear Council Members,
I urge you to pass Bill 129, Hydraulic Fracturing Policy, to protect our water table from irreversible
contamination.
Fracking has many forms and many names, including hydraulic fracturing, hydraulic shearing, and others. The
common factor is using liquids under high pressure to create breaks in the underground rock structure. In
many cases undisclosed chemicals are also injected.
It has been clearly shown that fracking pollutes the groundwater table and causes increased frequency of
earthquakes. I am extremely concerned about anything that damages our precious clean water supply. As an
island, we cannot do without clean fresh water.
Currently fracking is unregulated in Hawaii. The State Senate this year passed HCR 123, Expressing Concern
about the use of Hydraulic Fracturing. It is my hope that a state-wide ban will pass next year. Since Hawaii
County is the first place where `tracking' will be used if allowed, it is appropriate to restrict its use here, in the
absence of any existing state-wide regulation.
It is preferable for geothermal developers to be clear in advance which technologies will be welcome here. This
bill does not limit normal geothermal development, but will only restrict Enhanced (aka Engineered)
Geothermal Systems (EGS), which are being considered at this time by some would-be developers. A clear
statement from the County about such restrictions will prevent any delays or confusion about which type of
development is acceptable, and avoid delays or complications in permitting and approval of such
developments.
Please act to protect our groundwater by prohibiting fracking on the Big Island.
Sincerely,
Fussell Ruderman ,C Q
HCR 1 Box 5352 0. <�
Keaau, HI 96749 -0 I�
www.russellruderman.com ter'
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Comm. No, 442 7
Ref. To: /2/ We.-SG
Ref. Date.JEP 1 7 2013
1221 Kilauea Ave#170 808-443-1703
Hilo,HI 96720 russell @islandnaturals.com