VIDEO: Hu Honua contested case hearing underway
October 20, 2010 | Hamakua Coast, Hilo
October 20, 2010 – Hilo, Hawaii
Video by David Corrigan | Voice of Stephanie Salazar
The contested case hearing involving Hu Honua Bioenergy and a group of intervenors was underway at the Hilo State Office Building on Tuesday.
The intervenors are seeking to block Hu Honua’s application to amend a use permit that would allow the company to convert the defunct Pepeekeo Power Plant into a working alternative energy facility.
During the hearing the intervenors presented evidence and documents supporting their claims that the proposed bioenergy plant will negatively impact their quality of life.
The old coal burning plant has been closed since 2004.
Supporters say the plant will create jobs and boost the island’s quest for energy independence.
Opponents of the project are concerned about air quality, noise pollution, and the use of Sugar Mill Road by hauling trucks.
The hearing is being conducted by Hilo attorney Robert Crudele. The testimony is expected to take about a week, and afterwards, Crudele will make a recommendation to the Windward Planning Commission.
The $70 million project is on a timeline to have all approvals in place by the end of 2010.
The reporters have not sat threw the hearings and done their homework. This plant may create jobs while taking other jobs away from another plant that will be closed. Hu Honua has changed their plans constantly through the past two years. The original plans have fallen to the wayside and now they say they will do this and that. You make it sound like the intervenors are the only ones concerned. We are concerned about the health, safety and well-being of all the coastal residents, not just those who live near the plant. The head of Hu Honua was interviewed yet no others were interviewed that are opponents of the plant. You only need to do one search online of biomass plants near residential areas to see that they are not appropriate. Is Hawaii Video news under the Union’s power? Look on the web for yourself. This whole plant idea is a bad idea. Biomass plants need to be at the source of their material and away from people! Do your homework people, or the Hamakua Coast will be altered forever under a cloud of particulate matter and massive trucks on our highway.
For much more information about the proposed reopening of the power plant at Pepeekeo point refer to http://www.keepourislandclean.com.
Hawaii could not ask for a better way to solve its currant energy crisis. Between solar and wind, which Hawaii has an abounded amount, this will be good for all. Whatever minor problems it will have in setting up these types of power plants is insignificant to not having the benefits of the power they will produce.