HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 089 Draft 01 2014-2016OFFICE INFORMATION ONLY
Meeting: Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability Committee — March 3, 2015
Action: Withdrawn by introducer (Ms. Wille)
Re: Res 89-15; Comm. 133 (2014-2016 term)
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RESOLUTION NO. 89 15
A RESOLUTION URGING PUNA GEOTHERMAL VENTURE AND THE PUNA
COMMUNITY TO COME TO AN AMICABLE AGREEMENT REGARDING THE
DRILLING OF THE NEW WELL.
WHEREAS, Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) is seeking to drill a new well in lower
Puna; and
WHEREAS, a significant number of lower Puna residents are protesting the drilling of
this new well and, in particular, are objecting to PGV's plan to drill constantly through the day
and night; and
WHEREAS, concerned Puna residents pointed out that during the past year they have
been subjected to a "perfect storm" of stressful events that include both acute and long-term
adversities:
1. Tropical Storm Iselle created environmental havoc due to the release of hydrogen
sulfide emissions when PGV's facility temporarily lost electric power;
2. Tropical Storm Iselle toppled trees that blocked roadways, which compromised
voting at the precincts in lower Puna on the day of the 2014 Primary Election;
3. Lava is threatening to cut off access to Pahoa town, which has already resulted in
the permanent loss of many services and the relocation of school classes; and
4. Constant vog is causing varying degrees of moderate to severe air pollution,
which is now combined with smoke from fires along the lava front; and
WHEREAS, Puna residents are now appealing to the County claiming that by adding to
their plight the prospect of six or more weeks of constant drilling by PGV in their neighborhood,
both day and night, that life will be truly unbearable; and
WHEREAS, PGV understands the difficulties being faced by Puna residents but remains
committed to carrying out its business operations to provide adequate electric power to residents
in Hawaii County; and
WHEREAS, PGV stated that when drilling the well, stopping and starting up again will
result in costly, time-consuming, and disruptive steps, hence, PGV would prefer to minimize any
disruptions to the drilling process; and
WHEREAS, the Council urges restraint by all involved to avoid prolonged litigation and
encourages a mediated resolution between all parties; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII] that it
hereby urges Puna Geothermal Venture to agree to refrain from drilling from 7:00 p.m. on Friday
until 7:00 a.m. on Monday for the duration of the drill and to abide by the remedial measures for
noise and light abatement requested by the County of Hawaii Planning Director,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council urges Puna Pono Alliance to refrain
from pursuing or supporting any further legal action, provided that Puna Geothermal Venture
complies with the above terms, and to agree to urge community members to accept this mediated
arrangement rather than continuing to oppose the drilling operation.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit copy ofthis
resolution to the Honorable Mayor William P. Kenoi, Corporation Counsel, the Planning
Director. the Puna Pona Alliance and Puna Geothermal Venture.
Dated at , Hawai'i, this __ day of , 20
OUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii
I hereby certify that the forego... RESOLUTION was by
the vole indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
Cotmty of He,, cion
A'1"f EST
INTRODUCED BY:
CO CIL MMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
ROLL CALL VOTE
.YES NOES
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WILLS —
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ReferenceC-133/AWESC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 89 15