Big Island of Hawaii looking at models to generate geothermal royalties for public trust
Geothermal Working Group, County of Hawai`i, U.S. (Source: BigIslandVideoNews)
Alexander Richter
4 Oct 2011
Discussions about further geothermal development on the Big Island of Hawaii are going on looking at the broader implications of development, as well as keeping benefits and royalties in a public trust.
Reported here before, there are ongoing discussions on geothermal development in Hawaii. One of the groups active in promoting geothermal has recently told residents of the Big Island that public-private partnership on development could provide up to $1.25 million in revenues per year for a public trust.
The Innovations Development Group is rather outspoken about its model and the existing geothermal power plant of Puna Geothermal Venture (a daughter company of Ormat Technologies).
Reported by West Hawaii Today, “Innovations Development Group was just one of the companies that responded to a June request by Hawaii Electric Light Co. for information on establishing geothermal energy production on Hawaii Island. HELCO has yet to put out a request for actual project proposals from interested parties, Peter Rosegg, a spokesman for the utility, confirmed Tuesday.
In the June request, HELCO said it had no concrete locations or plans, but noted a 2005 state study had identified potential areas on Maui and the Big Island — including locations on Hualalai, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. The request also noted HELCO by Oct. 31 hopes to select a respondent.
Concerns raised by residents during the three-hour meeting include, but are not limited to, how the company would work with HELCO, how deep a bore would have to be drilled, where it might be located and how much water might be needed to sustain the facility.
Some also questioned how the project is being financed, which company chief executive officer Pat Brandt explained will come from investors that the company hopes will be located in Hawaii.
“We are trying to convince our local Hawaiian organizations to be those partners so the equity and profits will stay where we want it to stay,” Brandt said.
However, Kawaihae resident Kai Kaholokai reminded attendees and the company to look at the broader implications of developing geothermal technology on Hawaii Island.
“It’s about the spiritual and physical aspects involved and not just economics and money and we’re all going to get a piece of this or that. It’s higher than us,” he said. “Pele is just the gatekeeper of this huge cabin below the Big Island. This vast resource is not ours to use or abuse.”
Source: West Hawaii Today
