Thursday, October 18, 2012

USA, Hawai'i:

Bill Restricting Puna Geothermal Drilling Delayed (Big Island Now)

The Puna Geothermal Venture plant
in Pohoiki in lower Puna. 
(Courtesy Big Island Now)
A bill before the Hawai'i County Council that would restrict drilling of geothermal wells to daylight hours has hit a snag.

The council today took up what would have been the second and final vote on Bill 292, but concerns about its wording prompted several of its members to delay its passage.

Council Chairman Dominic Yagong introduced the bill at the urging of neighbors and critics of the Puna Geothermal Venture plant in Pohoiki, who said drilling activities at night disturbed their sleep.

The bill would restrict “drilling operations” to between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for geothermal wells “one mile or less from a residence.”

Mike Kaleikini, PGV’s plant manager, testified today that the bill is flawed for several reasons.

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