By TOM CALLIS By TOM CALLIS ADVERTISING Tribune-Herald staff writer Hawaii County Councilman Fred Blas is joining the call for a geothermal health study. The Pahoa councilman said he is drafting a resolution requesting an “independent” study to be done,
By TOM CALLIS
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Hawaii County Councilman Fred Blas is joining the call for a geothermal health study.
The Pahoa councilman said he is drafting a resolution requesting an “independent” study to be done, possibly funded with geothermal royalties or permit fees from Puna Geothermal Venture.
The proposal would be a change in position for Blas, who voted against a bill that would have provided funding for such a study as well as make other changes to the Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefits Program.
The councilman said he opposed the measure because the bill, introduced by Chairman Dominic Yagong, would have diverted funds away from infrastructure and other “community benefits” from lower Puna.
“This is not any political situation,” he said. “This is just health and safety for the community.”
Proposals for a study came about after nearby residents began complaining about a litany of health problems they believe may be tied to the PGV plant.
The council went through several lengthy hearings on the issue. At one in June, Blas appeared to dismiss health concerns expressed by testifiers and suggested their interest was in selling their property to the county through its geothermal relocation program.
“Now all of a sudden people are coming down with illness because of relocation,” he said then, while noting that cattle and other animals living near the plant don’t appear to be impacted.
Blas said in an interview that he believes the health problems of neighbors to the plant are real.
Are they caused by PGV?
“That’s what I’d like to find out,” he said.
While Blas voted against Bill 256, he voted for another bill to require an evacuation plan for PGV. He later voted against overriding mayoral the vetoes of both bills.
Yagong said he wasn’t concerned about Blas supporting a study after voting against his bill.
“If it does result in a health study being conducted, then I think that’s a good thing,” he said.
A group called the Puna Pono Alliance has also proposed a health study, and has submitted an outline to the county. Their proposal would use $200,000 from geothermal asset fund to cover the cost.
The Windward Planning Commission has jurisdiction over the $2.1 million fund.
Commission Chairman Zendo Kern said that request will be discussed Oct. 4. He said the commission has questions regarding the process for allocating any money since it appears the fund has never been used.
“It’s about making sure we have the right process,” Kern said.
The state Department of Health has done two air studies around the plant and concluded it doesn’t pose a health risk.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
