Geothermal plant’s effect on residents’ health to be studied

The Hawaii County Mayor’s Office will be looking into health effects of geothermal power generation on Puna residents in a $750,000 health study that will be conducted on Hawaii island over the next three years.

A Hawaii County commission approved funding for the study, which will focus on geothermal power’s effects on the central nervous system and the respiratory system, as well as its impact on any anxiety disorders.

The county’s Windward Planning Commission released the funds for the health study Sept. 17 after approving the amount earlier that month. The Mayor’s Office introduced the Geothermal Public Health Study in August.

"There has been ongoing community concerns over the years about the health effects on residents from geothermal," said Clarysse Nunokawa, executive assistant at the Mayor’s Office.

The Puna Geothermal Venture began operation in 1993 and is the only geothermal plant in the state. The plant has the capacity to produce up to 38 megawatts of power. In 2013, PGV accounted for about 24 percent of the energy on Hawaii island, said Rhea Lee, administration manager at Hawaiian Electric Light Co.

The money for the study would come from the county’s Geothermal Asset Fund. The fund is supported by annual payments from PGV. The plant provides $50,000 a year to the fund.

The office of the mayor is working on releasing the request for proposals, or RFP, for the study.

The commission asked the county to get input from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environment Protection Agency before announcing the RFP.

"We are coordinating with CDC and EPA to meet the requirements of the planning commission," said Kevin Dayton, executive assistant for the Mayor’s Office.

Jay Maddock, a professor of public health at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, helped prepare the initial RFP.

"It’s an important public health issue in the state. I think it is a very interesting issue because it is alternative energy. We know we have to have alternative energy in the future here in the state, but we have to make sure it doesn’t harm the health of our residents," said Maddock.

The potential health risks of geothermal energy have caused some traditional supporters of alternative energy to question this renewable energy source.

"It’s a case where people who would normally be on the same side of the issue are on opposite sides of the issue," Maddock said.

The approval for the funding came after an accident at the geothermal plant during Hurricane Iselle.

Hydrogen sulfide was released from PGV in August, causing more than 100 people living in the area to report immediate health effects.

Some people reported severe lethargy, nausea, red eyes, burning eyes and respiratory problems.

The plant tripped offline after it lost its ability to push power off-site into the grid when transmission lines were downed by fallen trees.

The plant had to relieve pressure by sending a plume of geothermal fluid that had high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide.

One of the release valves — specifically designed to keep the plant from exceeding operating pressure — became stuck and released the high concentration of the gas.

"There are tremendous concerns within our community," said state Sen. Russell Ruderman. "There was a real, very serious concentration of hydrogen sulfide."

Hawaii Electric Light Co. met with PGV to discuss the safety of residents in the surrounding area.

"The safety of the community and our employees always is our top priority. Since Iselle we have participated in community discussions with PGV about public safety during Iselle," said Kevin Waltjen, HELCO incident commander.

Before the plant’s return to operation, Hawaii County Civil Defense requested that PGV cut back its operating capacity before any future wind events to avoid another release. The county also requested that PGV have backup power for its monitoring system and maintain the monitoring of chemical releases during a power outage, said Darryl Oliveira, administrator, Hawaii County Civil Defense.

"I think we have closed some gaps. We were able to work closely with Puna Geothermal," he said. "The goal for all of us is to provide a level of assurance and confidence that their health and safety is provided for and not compromised."