This weekend a group of lawmakers have been touring the Big Island and this afternoon they came out to Puna on the East Side of the Big Island to visit the Puna Geothermal plant known as Puna Geothermal Venture.
The entrance to the facility
They arrived in several car loads shortly after 4:00.
The legislators arrive
I’m not sure exactly how the group came together other then the fact that they were coming to the Big Island to see sustainable projects and Richard Ha seemed to be coordinating a lot of the efforts.
Richard Ha talks to Senator Donovan Dela Cruz
The lawmakers started the day with a tour of Mauna Kea and by the end of the afternoon it looked like many of them were pretty tired as the presentation on PGV began.
Inside the control room
We watched a 12 minute video on how geothermal energy was produced followed by a slide show presentation on some of the facts about the plant itself.
Plant Manager Michael Kaleikini fielded questions about PGV to the lawmakers
“Ormat Technologies, Inc. a world leader in geothermal development, acquired Puna Geothermal Venture in June 2004 and launched a $32 million upgrade to existing technologies. Improvements were made in noise reduction and 100 percent of its excess fluids are injected back to the earth’s interior without exposure to the open air.”
Not sure what these are... but they looked cool
…The seven senators and two representatives on Saturday will visit Mauna Kea, Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Plant, Puna Geothermal Venture’s power plant in Pohoiki and Hilo small businesses.
Then on Sunday, they’ll see Green Point Nursery, Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Hu Honua bioenergy power plant and Hamakua Springs Farms… Washington Examiner
More interesting stuff
Anyone know what Halon 1301 is?
Richard Ha and Senator Malama Solomon share a moment
Kaleikini and Senator Hanohano talk about geothermal
For further reading, see Richards post “About Geothermal Operations & Safety Concerns”
“There have been questions about general safety issues regarding geothermal. I asked Mike Kaleikini, Puna Geothermal Venture’s (PGV) Operations Manager, what safety requirements exist that PGV must comply with…. ” Ha continues on his site Ha! Ha! Ha!
Related Articles
- Ormat Technologies Brings the Only Geothermal Power Plant Online in the U.S. in 2010 (prnewswire.com)
Filed under: Announcements, Big Island, Education, Environment, Hawaii, Hawaiian, Legislature, Sustainable Living, Technology | Tagged: Big Island Energy, Mike Kaleikini, Ormat Technology, Peak Oil, Puna Geothermal Venture, Richard Ha | Leave a Comment »
What the Hecht on the 2% Land Fund
Debbie Hecht
Commentary by Debbie Hecht:
I think it is important to know, prior to receiving the Mayor’s budget, and to remember that we have the commitment of 6 council members, who support reinstating the 2% amount of our property taxes to the Land Fund. (see attached 5 pledges and an email from Angel Pilago)
There are many properties to still be acquired and there is still $3.5 million in the fund that the Kenoi administration has not spent. Kaiholena south is still for sale which would help to secure the Kohala coast. There are other properties that the council has set aside for sale too. Reports and the financial data are available at:
http://www.hawaii-county.com/finance/ponc.htm
We hope that the Mayor and council continue to honor 57% of voters who voted in 2006 to set aside 2% of our taxes to preserve our open spaces. In 2010, again, 57.5% of voters voted to set aside a minimum of 1% of our property taxes as a charter amendment (which the Mayor and council cannot change without a vote of the people). This consistent vote of 57% of voters on our island was in a serious recession. Many people doubted that we would continue steadfast in our commitment to acquire the great places that make our island one of the most beautiful places in the world AND also could be the foundation for an eco-tourism industry on this island. The vote in 2010 of 57.5% occurred even after the Mayor raised our property taxes.
We ask our elected officials to PLEASE honor the vote of 57% of voters on this island and reinstate the 2% amount so we can save Hawaii Island’s great places.
Mahalo-
Debbie
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Filed under: Big Island, County Council, Environment, Guest Commentator, Hawaii, Kenoi, Politics | Tagged: Debbie Hecht, Hawaii 2% Land Fund | Leave a Comment »