NO DLNR environmental exemptions on Geothermal Exploration
Send your testimony now! Email oeqc@doh.hawaii.gov
Gary Hooser, Director Environmental Council
Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC)
235 South Beretania Street, Suite 702
Honolulu, HI 96813
DLNR Board
Aloha kakou,
Instead of granting environmental exemptions for geothermal exploration, OEQC and DLNR should be requiring that a comprehensive environmental health evaluation study within a 10 mile radius of the existing PGV geothermal plant be completed prior to any further geothermal exploration drilling. The testimony at public hearings of health impacts have been a chilling indictment of government and industry’s complete failure to protect public health. In addition to health impacts, a study on the impacts of geothermal drilling to Native Hawaiian cultural and religious beliefs should also be conducted. People give lip service to respecting Hawaiian spiritual beliefs, but where is the evidence of a genuine study that the impacts are being seriously investigated and addressed.
Finally, government should be requiring proper bonding/insurance of geothermal drilling companies to cover their admitted worst case scenario in the event of a major earthquake: a several mile permanent evacuation zone surrounding each and every drill site. The more drill sites, the greater the cost/liability. What are the odds of such an event? The answer is FUKUSHIMA!
Jim Albertini Malu ‘Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawai’i 96760 Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org www.malu-aina.org
