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RESOLUTION NO. 249 15
A RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE COUNTY OF HAWAII
GENERAL PLAN, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL PLAN
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW PROCESS, RELATING TO GEOTHERMAL
RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT.
WHEREAS, the Hawai`i County Planning Director initiated a comprehensive review of
the County of Hawai`i General Plan on February 6, 2015; and
WHEREAS,pursuant to section 16.1(3) of the General Plan, the Planning Director
established June 6, 2015 as the deadline for Council initiated amendments to the Plan during the
comprehensive review process; and
WHEREAS, in consideration of the Council Planning Committee's request to postpone
this deadline, the Planning Director postponed the deadline for Council initiated amendments
until September 8, 2015; and
WHEREAS, the Council submits this resolution in response to the Planning Director's
invitation to submit amendments to the General Plan; and
WHEREAS, Act 97, Session Laws of Hawai`i 2015, amends Hawai`i Revised Statutes,
section 269-92, to require each electric utility in the State of Hawai`i to establish a 100 percent
renewable energy portfolio by 2045; and
WHEREAS, Hawai`i Electric Light Co. seeks to increase its renewable energy portfolio
by adding up to 25 megawatts of geothermal energy; and
WHEREAS, the development of geothermal energy to help meet the energy needs of the
County of Hawai`i has a promising future, as the production of energy through such
development has continued to occur safely, with near zero emissions, and has assisted in
lowering the cost of energy to consumers; and
WHEREAS, recent drilling operations by Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) has been
conducted in a manner consistent with best available control technology which significantly
reduced noise from drilling operations; and
WHEREAS, as further geothermal energy production occurs, new production facilities
should be encouraged to be located in areas which are not in close proximity to urban areas
which are zoned for residential uses; and
WHEREAS, an increased investment in geotheimal resources development is anticipated
to occur on Hawaii Island; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the
Planning Director consider the following proposals during the Director's review and analysis of
suggestions offered during this initial phase of the comprehensive review process and ultimately
incorporate them as possible, into the final proposed amendments to the Hawai`i County General
Plan:
1. Subject to the requirements of state law, the relevant Hawai`i County Planning
Commission should have the authority to regulate future geothermal development in
Hawai`i County;
2. Additional development of geothermal resources should mitigate impacts to people
by the use of best available control technology; and
3. Additional development of geothermal resources that are not part of the previously
approved Geothermal Resource Permit 2 production facilities should, to the extent
possible, avoid urban areas zoned for residential use.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Hawai`i County Planning Director.
Dated at , Hawaii, this day of , 20_
INTRODUCED BY:
CO CIL M ER, COUNTY F HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i CHUNG
DAVID
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by EOFF
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the ILAGAN
County of Hawai`i on
KANUHA
•
ONISHI
•
ATTEST: PALEKA
POINDEXTER
WILLE
Reference: C-417/Waived PC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON&PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 249 15
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