Scoping Meeting Summary, Honolulu, Oahu, March 14, 1992, 2 PM Session
The meeting began with presentations by the facilitator, Mr. Spiegel, and Dr. Lewis, the representative from DOE. The facilitator introduced those on the podium. He then described the general structure of the meeting and its purpose: to hear the issues and concerns of those present regarding the proposed Hawaiian Geothermal Project. He described his role as assuring the impartiality and fairness of the meeting. Dr. Lewis of DOE further defined the scope of the project, introduced members of the EIS team, and briefly described the EIS process. Ninety percent of those presenting expressed concern about the potential impacts of the HGP to the environment. They asked that the EIS investigate the impacts of 1.he HGP on quality of air, water and soils, flora and fauna, land, socioeconomics, religion and culture. Seventy percent of the commenters want the EIS to investigate the impacts of all components of the HGP (eg. generation facilities, pipes, roads, drill pads, transmission corridors, and cable) on terrestrial ecosystems (e.g. the rainforest), threatened and endangered species, species diversity, species used for ritual or medicinal purposes, and climate stability. The EIS should address the effects of segmentation of habitat, introduction of exotic species, acid rain, herbicides, and enhanced fire danger. It should consider the entire Kilauea East Rift Zone when studying the impacts of HGP on the ecology of the Puna District. Of importance is the interrelationship between the lava, the biota of the region, and the regeneration that occurs following an eruption. DOE should examine the impacts of the network of roads that would be constructed for the HGP. Roads may serve as barriers that segment habitats, prevent regeneration and natural spread of biota, or serve as conduits for introduction of exotic species or for mobilization of herbicides. They may enhance the potential for logging or collecting of endangered native species. The EIS should determine the impacts of the HGP on marine life, particularly threatened and endangered species such as the humpback whale. It should address the effects of emf. In particular, the EIS should establish whether the clearing of land for HGP increase the problems of silting in the near-shore ocean. Ninety percent of the presenters requested that the EIS address long- and short-term socioeconomic impacts of the HGP. Sixty percent want the EIS to provide a detailed economic analysis of the costs (to the Consumer, rate payer and non-user) of the HGP, including the cable, from inception (planning) through decommissioning, to determine both feasibility and impacts to economic systems. The EIS should investigate the effects of the presence of transmission lines making large regions of the State: less desirable for living in terms of property values, cost of living, etc . b.b. This impact would affect all residents of Hawai'i, not just those on Hawai'i, Maui, Moloka'i and Oahu. The EIS should analyze the economic impacts of failures once geothermal energy provides a significant proportion of Hawai'i's energy needs, including the costs of developing backup power supply on Oahu. One commenter asked who would be responsible for the consequences of lower property values or property condemnation associated with the HGP and suggested that the developer(s) should be bonded. Fifty percent want the EIS to identify what the benefits of HGP are and who would benefit from development of the HGP.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 883154
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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