HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 058 Draft 01 2014-2016OFFICE INFORMATION ONLY
Meeting: Council - February 4, 2015
Action: Withdrawn by introducer (Ragan)
Re: Res 58-15; Comm. 92 (2014-2016 term)
J��rlCs M,�7
COUNTY OF HAWAII '• STATE OF HAWAII
60V
RESOLUTION NO. SS 15
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING PUNA GEOTHERMAL VENTURE TO REDUCE THE
NOISE IMPACT TO RESIDENTS DURING THE NIGHT BY COMPLYING WITH
ORDINANCE NO. 12-151.
WHEREAS, in response to noise concerns caused by the drilling of a geothermal
production well, the County on December 5, 2012, enacted Ordinance No. 12-151, which added
a section to the Code that states "Geothermal resources exploration drilling and geothermal
production drilling operations being conducted one mile or less from a residence, shall be
restricted to the operating hours of 7:00 a.m. — 7:00 p.m."; and
WHEREAS, Puna Geothermal Venture ("PGV") is scheduled to establish production
well KS -16 by drilling four holes, beginning on January 25, 2015, and ending on April 1, 2015,
less than one mile from residences; and
WHEREAS, PGV maintains that Ordinance No. 12-151 does not prohibit the nighttime
drilling of production well KS -16; and
WHEREAS, during past episodes of geothermal drilling, residents who live near PGV
have complained of a nonstop, low -frequency noise that interrupts their sleep and affects their
health; and
WHEREAS, PGV maintains that stopping the drilling of the well at night would
compromise safety, increase the risk of a blowout, and add months to the drilling time and result
in increased cost to ratepayers; and
WHEREAS, residents who live near PGV have serious concerns about the practice of
nighttime drilling; and
WHEREAS, geothermal energy is a stable and renewable resource that reduces the
consumption of fossil fuels and the carbon dioxide emissions, and supports the energy
sustainability goals of Hawaii Island; and
WHEREAS, the Council seeks areas of common ground; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that
PGV is respectfully requested to reduce the noise impact to residents during the night by
complying with Ordinance No. 12-151.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that PGV is encouraged to continue to seek input from
community members and to continue to improve relations with its neighbors.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to PGV Director of Hawaiian Affairs Michael Kaleikini.
Dated at , Hawai`i, this day of , 20
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawai i
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawaii on
ATTEST:
INTRODUCED BY:
CO IL MAAB ER, COUNTYAF HAWAII
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES NOES ABS EX
CHUNG
DAVID
EOFF
ILAGAN
KANUHA
ONISHI
PALEKA
POINDEXTER
WILLE
Reference:
C-92/Waived AWESC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 58 IS