The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is hosting a public hearing to receive input on the draft Pakini Nui and Lalamilo habitat conservation plans at 5:30 p.m. today at the Hawaii Gateway Energy Center at the Natural Energy
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is hosting a public hearing to receive input on the draft Pakini Nui and Lalamilo habitat conservation plans at 5:30 p.m. today at the Hawaii Gateway Energy Center at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority in Kailua-Kona. The hearing is coordinated by the DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
Two companies, Tawhiri Power LLC and Lalamilo Wind Company LLC, have applied for 20-year incidental take licenses to operate wind energy facilities at their respective sites. An incidental take is any manner of harm or harassment to an endangered species, such as the Hawaiian hoary bat and Hawaiian petrel.
This type of license would absolve the companies of legal consequences for any accidental harm operations might cause an endangered species.
Tawhiri operates the 21-megawatt wind energy facility at South Point, which comprises 14 turbines and accompanying power lines. The Lalamilo facility in South Kohala includes five turbines and accompanying power lines, and has a net generating capacity of 3.3 megawatts.
For more information, visit http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/files/2013/09/8-Pakini-Nui-draft-HCP.pdf.
