2017-10-25 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

Home

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI UNOFFICIAL MEETING MINUTES (No Quorum Reached) Wednesday, October 25, 2017 9:07 a.m. to 11:54 a.m. Hawaiʻi County Building 25 Aupuni Street, Room 1501 Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720 Commissioners present: Staff present: James Fritz, Chair William Kucharski, Director Richard Bennett, Vice Chair Diane Noda, Deputy Director Jon Olson Keyra Wong, Deputy Corporation Counsel Luana Neff Mary Fujio, Acting Secretary Members of the public present: Jerome Warren; Gary Harrold; Cory Harden; Victoria Haili of Recycle Hawaiʻi; Jerri Napeahi; Paul Buklarewicz; Cherie Griffore As quorum was not reached, no official action was taken. 9:07 a.m.: Chair Fritz welcomed everyone and announced the lack of quorum. He explained that testimony from the public would be taken and that presentations by the Planning Department and Solid Waste Division, as stated on the agenda, would be heard. Diane Noda introduced Mary Fujio, who was substituting for Marcie Toguchi as the Commission’s secretary. Agenda Item 3: STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS Cory Harden: Ms. Harden testified regarding the Solid Waste Management Plan. She said that Steve Holmes, a former Honolulu council member and former member of the Sierra Club, encourages thinking about a gas recovery project when the landfill closes, as it was listed by the EPA as a candidate site. The landfill gas can be recovered for up to 60 years, even after its quality has degraded. A private gas company could do it at no cost to the county. Honolulu did a similar project, which will generate revenue of $1.8 million. Such a project would also reduce natural gas imports. Gary Harrold: Mr. Harrold said he was not prepared at this time to give a statement. He wanted to study the issues and figure out what he supports and opposes.