During the Hawaii County Council’s long day on Thursday, a few bills pertaining geothermal energy were passed on first reading.
Bill 256, dealing with the geothermal royalties paid to the county by the Puna Geothermal Venture, will be renamed and redefined in order to facilitate the relocation of people living within one mile of the geothermal facility. Many of the residents living that close to the power plant say they have been suffering health problems and place the blame on the geothermal company. The bill will also allow expenditures for air quality monitoring equipment. The money will no longer be used for general community benefits, like paving roads and so forth… (VIDEO 3:19 minutes)
