Press Release — Possible Puna Geothermal Venture wild wells from Earth quakes or lava.

Lava within 100 yards of the Puna Geothermal Plant (PGV) which has more than 6 geothermal wells.

Malu Aina 966-7622

Jim Albertini ja@malu-aina.org

P.O. Box 489 Kurtistown, Hawaii 96760  website www.malu-aina.org

Below and attached is a Geothermal Emergency Map produced by the Big Island Rainforest Action Group (BIRAG) more than 25 years ago.  The map, as I recall, is based on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared for Puna Geothermal venture (PGV) that cited the possibility of wild wells caused by Earth quakes or lava flows.  Wild wells are those that can’t be capped resulting in uncontrolled venting of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) resulting in an 4.1 mile radius (8.2 mile diameter) permanent evacuation zone around the PGV plant and a warning/alert area of 15 miles radius from the plant..  (At the time the map was prepared there was a wild well in California at the Geysers still uncontrollable after 30 years which fortunately was far from populated areas.)

It should be noted that Hydrogen Sulfide H2S  which comes out of geothermal wells is different than the gas that comes out of the lava –Sulfur dioxide (SO2).  Hydrogen sulfide at low levels has a rotten egg sulfur smell but at high levels is deadly and is odorless and colorless.  It is a heavy gas so collects in low areas.

I personally gave a copy of this map to Hawaii County Civil defense director Talmage Magno on Friday, May 18 at the Hilo Civil defense office.
Jim Albertini

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