tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433394235156028916.post3397974943388522932..comments2023-06-10T03:41:42.688-10:00Comments on Hawaii Energy Options: Obama’s Iowa Speech Could Well Have Been about Hawaii’s Unparalleled Requirement to Get Off OilDoug Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10191683240304122047noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433394235156028916.post-26508195317614339022009-04-26T08:46:00.000-10:002009-04-26T08:46:00.000-10:00Mahalo, Barbara.Mahalo, Barbara.Doug Carlsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10191683240304122047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433394235156028916.post-12425272425688368092009-04-23T23:18:00.000-10:002009-04-23T23:18:00.000-10:00Aloha. Puna Geothermal Venture is now owned by Orm...Aloha. Puna Geothermal Venture is now owned by Ormat Technologies, an international leader in geothermal development. Since Ormat acquired PGV in 2004, it has invested millions into upgrades. There are virtually no emissions (mitigated through reinjection wells.)<br /><br />PGV has worked tirelessly over its 15 years of operation to be a good neighbor and overcome adverse relations and indeed enjoys a strong reputation on its island. It provides nearly 20% of the island's electricity. <br /><br />It's important to note that PGV is NOT located in a pristine area, but rather amidst papaya fields and scrub. <br /><br />And it's particularly cool that because the plant is in a rift zone, it is designed so that the equipment atop the wells can be put on pallets and trucked away. The wells can be capped and protected from a lava flow, and then reopened and the equipment trucked back in. Slick engineering. <br /><br />You can learn more at punageothermal.com<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Barbara HastingsUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10331236251974536780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433394235156028916.post-80451086925620217272009-04-23T12:09:00.000-10:002009-04-23T12:09:00.000-10:00Thank you for your kind note, Kate. I'll be happy...Thank you for your kind note, Kate. I'll be happy to connect you with the company that runs the Big Island's geothermal plant and also its community relations company. <br /><br />In general, though, I think they're preventing emissions from the plant and are therefore in compliance with their operating requirements. The major issues concern other environmental and cultural concerns -- encroaching into pristine land, for instance, and respecting Hawaiian religious values.<br /><br />Some entities have begun a dialogue with individuals concerned about these issues, and the climate may be changing -- I just don't know. But I'll be happy to be in touch, and if you learn something interesting, please email me at doug@commaaina.com. Thanks again for your comment.Doug Carlsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10191683240304122047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433394235156028916.post-88518405648986308302009-04-23T11:38:00.000-10:002009-04-23T11:38:00.000-10:00Mr. Carlson,
We have been reading your very inter...Mr. Carlson,<br /><br />We have been reading your very interesting blog. My son is just starting HS and is studying earth science. We have been studying Hawaii's move to reduce its oil dependence and its struggle to implement geothermal energy. We understand the conflict with the religious community there and the issues that affect the natural habitat. One question we have is in regard to the technological issues surrounding implementing geothermal. We realize that the answer to this question could simply be a resounding "no", but we are curious as to whether the volatility of the volcanic environment in Hawaii presents more technical safety problems, particularly in the area of reducing gas emissions in the drilling process, than in other parts of the western US that are employing geothermal. <br /><br />If there is a website you can send us to or you would like to email us privately, we can be reached at kate@wovenstones.com. Thanks so much for all of the great information on this blog.wovenstoneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11506200731124826923noreply@blogger.com