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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0417.002 2014-2016J�tV OF From the office of - �° �� '.;: Office: (808) 965-2712 Council Member Fax: (808) 965-2707 +' District Puna Makai °+ Email. gilagan@hawaiicoiinty.gov •��rE Gi'N'�' GREGGOR ILAGAN" c-) 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 �F' C-- August 19, 2015. .7 , MEMORANDUM v CD To: Dru Mamo Kanuha, Chair w And Members of the Hawaii County Council From: Greggor Ilagan Council Member Re: Proposed amendments to 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. Please find attached a proposed amendment to Resolution No. 249-15. The amendment is illustrated below in Ramseyer format with respect to the contents of Resolution 249-15 (material to be deleted is bracketed and stricken; material to be added is underscored). Resolution No 249-15 is amended by amending the seventh WHEREAS clause to read as follows: "WHEREAS, the development of geothermal energy to help meet the energy needs of the County of Hawaii [has a promising fittwe, as the preduetion of energy tIffeugh stwh deN,elepmei-A has eentkiued-to eEcus-a€ely, with near- er-e .scions has ,meted -i -H lower-ing the east of energy to eenstimer-s] , when proper impact mitigation measures are taken, can be done safely, affordably, and with near zero emissions; and" 2. Resolution No. 249-15 is amended by amending the ninth WHEREAS clause to read as follows: "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 .A,;,.h are zenedfor- r sident a • es] inhabited areas; and" Corrtftt: No. Rrrf. To: w 1— Ref. Date . AUG 19 2015 Hawaii County Is an Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer 3. Resolution No. 249-15 is amended by adding a new clause, to be inserted as the tenth WHEREAS clause, to read as follows: "WHEREAS, enhanced monitoring measures and health impact studies should continue to be conducted and the recommendations from those studies should be implemented to protect the health and safety of nearby residents; and" 4. Resolution No. 249-15 is amended by amending the enacting clause to read as follows: "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 Hawaii County General Plan: 1. Subject to the requirements of state law, the relevant Hawaii County Planning Commission should have the authority to regulate future geothermal development in Hawaii County; 2. Additional development of geothermal resources should mitigate impacts to people by the use of best available control technology;[] 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- "esidei *i^' • e.] inhabited areas; and 4. Enhanced monitoring measures and health impact studies should continue to be conducted and the recommendations from those studies should be implemented." A draft copy of Resolution No. 249-15, Draft 2, is attached with these amendments incorporated therein. GI/ps Att. 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 Hawaii County Planning Director initiated a comprehensive review of the County of Hawaii 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 Hawaii 2015, amends Hawaii Revised Statutes, section 269-92, to require each electric utility in the State of Hawaii to establish a 100 percent renewable energy portfolio by 2045; and WHEREAS, Hawaii 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 Hawaii, when proper impact mitigation measures are taken, can be done safely, affordably, and with near zero emissions; 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 inhabited areas; and WHEREAS, enhanced monitoring measures and health impact studies should continue to be conducted and the recommendations from those studies should be implemented to protect the health and safety of nearby residents; and WHEREAS, an increased investment in geothermal 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 Hawaii County General Plan: 1. Subject to the requirements of state law, the relevant Hawaii County Planning Commission should have the authority to regulate future geothermal development in Hawaii County; 2. Additional development of geothermal resources should mitigate impacts to people by the use of best available control technology; 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 inhabited areas; and 4. Enhanced monitoring measures and health impact studies should continue to be conducted and the recommendations from those studies should be implemented. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Hawaii County Planning Director.