Biomass Energy Project Information

Biomass Energy Development

The Koloa Community Association was provided a copy of the Draft Environmental Assessment from the Kauai Planning Department very recently and was asked to comment on this application. This draft was circulated to our board of directors for comment.

The Proponent, Green Energy Team LLC, made no presentation to the Koloa Community Association so we are very much not familiar with the specifics of the project compared to the immediate landowners. We believe that our community would be very interested in this project and have many more questions about it, particularly our Omao residents who are directly downwind from this activity that includes not only the plant but the wood chipping activity at the area they would be harvesting.

We are familiar with Mr. Bill Cowern of Hawaiian Mahogany Inc. and his leasing of Knudsen land for the growing of the Albizia trees for fuel and respect his knowledge in this area.

The purpose of this facility is to produce electrical power for use by island residents from a local, renewable, and sustainable non-fossil fuel source.  The outcome will be a reduction of dependence on imported fossil fuels.  The facility is intended to help put KIUC in compliance with a State law that mandates that utilities provide at least 20% of its energy from renewable sources.

The project is on a parcel of 64 acres, however it is not clear whether it is only limited to this area or whether the chipping will extend into the areas outside of this parcel that are closer to residential areas.

We note that we have no way to tell whether this plant is sufficient economically to handle the product in the field or whether this plant will need to be upsized later, all which we believe needs to be considered now due to the impacts.

We note that the plant will emit over 109 tons per year of NOx which is considered a major source for this pollutant. We think further analysis is necessary.

The second biggest concern was the water aquifer which, as stated in this assessment, is highly vulnerable to contamination.

Other concerns regarding noise, traffic, views from the scenic Kaumualii highway, alternative sites, becoming garbage to energy facility were expressed by members. Without discussion on a potential garbage to energy site, we think this EA would become moot in comparison to such a facility.

We support the concept of this project, but are still concerned about the environmental impacts and need to make sure that all of these are addressed. We do not think that they are addressed enough and ask that further analysis by way of an EIS be done.