FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Council must address community impact from geothermal, says Puna Council Candidate James Weatherford

Aloha ,

Additionally I concur with James on this issue.

Mahalo
Michael W Hale (walking for office of State House)

contact:
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Subject: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Council must address community impact from geothermal, says Puna Council Candidate James Weatherford
To: James Weatherford <jamesweatherfordphd>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 4th, 2012

County Council must address community impact from geothermal, says Puna Candidate

James Weatherford.

The Hawaiʻi County Council is considering legislation to redirect the county’s share of geothermal

royalty funds back to their original purpose – addressing community impacts from geothermal

development.

James Weatherford, candidate for Hawaiʻi County Council District 4, fully supports this initiative

and says Bill 256-12 must be passed.

“This is not about being ‘pro’ or ‘anti’ geothermal. This is about responsible government being

responsive to community concerns," Weatherford said in a statement released by his campaign

today.

"The incumbent from Puna has had a year-and-a-half to address the concerns of the community in

the vicinity of the geothermal plant," Weatherford added. "Instead of responding to and addressing

his constituents’ concerns regarding impacts of geothermal in the community, he has been

spending geothermal funds for other purposes. Instead of draining the geothermal royalty fund, I

will bring Puna taxpayers’ money back to Puna by doing the work required through the budget

process to get capital improvement projects for the district.”

Bill 256-12, introduced by Council Chair and Mayoral Candidate Dominic Yagong, will provide an

opportunity for residents now living within one mile of the Puna Geothermal Venture facility to be

relocated, and would prevent those properties from being reinhabited via resale or rental. This will

start to create a buffer around PGV, where as now, some residents live right next to the

geothermal power plant.

In addition to relocation, Bill 256-12 also promotes public health and safety by providing

expenditures on health studies, air quality monitoring and real-time public notification of emissions.

Mandated emergency evacuation preparedness is also being considered by the council in a

separate measure.

On May 16th, the legislation received a favorable recommendation from the Council’s Agriculture,

Water, and Energy Sustainability Committee. Scheduled for June 6th is the first of two more votes

needed before being sent to the Mayor for signing into law or veto.

—

Shawn "ʻAlika" James-Leavey

James Weatherford for Puna Council District #4
Campaign Manager
(808) 769-0649
shawnjamesleavey
www.jamesweatherford.com

Weatherford Geothermal Press Release June 4.pdf