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U.S. EPA PROPOSES PERMIT FOR PUNA GEOTHERMAL VENTURE

Release Date: 3/3/1998
Contact Information: Paula Bruin, U.S. EPA, (415) 744-1587

     (San Francisco)--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) today announced it is seeking public comments on its proposal to issue an underground injection control (UIC) permit to Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) and its operator COSI Puna, Inc. in Pahoa, Hawaii.  The proposed permit, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, would authorize PGV to operate three existing geothermal injection wells and to construct up to seven new wells under conditions set by the permit.   The permit would require safeguards to protect groundwater resources, ensure safe operation of the system as well as prevent endangerment to public health and the environment.

     The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) is also seeking public comments on the renewal of its existing state permit to PGV for three injection wells and on PGV's application for approval to construct seven new wells.
 
     The Puna facility produces electricity using steam from groundwater that is heated by a subsurface geothermal resource.  The condensed steam and geothermal brine and noncondensible gases from the production wells are reinjected back into the geothermal reservoir at depths below 3,900 feet.  Federal and state UIC programs regulate the injection of these fluids and gases.  U.S. EPA has the primary responsibility to implement the federal UIC program.

     The public is invited to attend the U.S. EPA's and DOH's public hearings to provide written and verbal comments on the proposed state and federal permits.  The public hearings will be held on April 3, 1998, Pahoa High School Cafeteria, 15-3038 Puna Rd., Pahoa.  DOH will begin its public hearing at 4:00 p.m. followed by U.S. EPA's public hearing beginning at 6:30 p.m.  The public is also invited to an informational workshop on April 2, 1998, beginning at 5:00 p.m.,  also at the Pahoa High School Cafeteria.   Representatives from the U.S. EPA, Hawaii DOH, and PGV will be at the workshop to answer questions concerning the UIC permits and applications.

     Copies of the proposed federal permit, a federal fact sheet, a public notice, the state permit renewal, and PGV's federal and state applications are available at:

Pahoa Public Library                Hilo Public Library
15-3070 Pahoa Kalapana Road         300 Waianuenue Avenue
Pahoa, Hawaii                       Hilo, Hawaii

University of Hawaii                U.S. EPA Pacific Island
 Library                             Contact Office
200 West Kawili Street              Federal Building
Hilo, Hawaii                        300 Ala Moana Blvd, Room 5124
                                    Honolulu, Hawaii

Keaau Public Library
16-571 Keaau Pahoa Road
Keaau, Hawaii

     U.S. EPA documents relating to the proposed permit are also available on the Agency's Web site at https://www.epa.gov/region09/water.  

     The public may also send written comments, postmarked or delivered by April 18, 1998, to:
   
     Shannon FitzGerald
     Ground Water Office, WTR-9
     U.S. EPA Region 9
     75 Hawthorne St.
     San Francisco, CA 94105
     fax: (415) 744-1235
     fitzgerald.shannon@epamail.epa.gov

     The Safe Drinking Water Branch
     Hawaii Department of Health
     919 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 308
     Honolulu, HI 96814