Geothermal development attitudes surveyed

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Geotherm. Hot Line; (United States)

OSTI ID:6951797

The State of Hawaii has conducted several surveys on public opinion towards the development of geothermal energy. The latest poll was designed to: measure public opinion in the County of Hawaii relevant to geothermal development for electrical power supplied to Island of Hawaii residents only; measure public opinion in the County of Hawaii relevant to geothermal development of electricity to be exported for use on Oahu; and identify barriers to, and opportunities for energy conservation programs, including geothermal development. In general, the residents of the County of Hawaii favor some form of geothermal development. Issues on geothermal development of concern to the public were similar to those mentioned in the 1982 study. Basically, the issues amount to a trade-off between the economic advantages and the environmental problems of geothermal development. The strong points in favor of development include a perceived need for more energy, a strong preference for alternate energy forms over petroleum, perceived benefits for the local economy and the employment rates, and the possibility that development may reduce or contain utility bills. On the other hand, it appears that geothermal development will cause health problems for those who live near the wells, be hazardous to flora and fauna in the Puna area, and create noise and odor above tolerable levels. These are oversimplified statements of the reasons behind both support and opposition for geothermal development.

• OSTI ID: 6951797
• Journal Information: Geotherm. Hot Line; (United States), Vol. 16:1-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
HAWAII
PUBLIC OPINION
CONSTRAINTS
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
NOISE POLLUTION
POWER GENERATION
POWER TRANSMISSION
SURVEYS
FEDERAL REGION IX
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION
RESOURCES
USA
150400* - Geothermal Energy- Legislation & Regulations