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U.S. EPA ISSUES INSPECTION REPORT ON PUNA GEOTHERMAL VENTURE

Release Date: 5/14/1996
Contact Information: Lois A. Grunwald, U.S. EPA, (415) 744-1588

    (San Francisco)--  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) today announced the results of an inspection of Puna Geothermal Venture in Pahoa, Hawaii. The inspection assessed the facility's compliance with federal environmental regulations.

     While the facility is in compliance with most environmental requirements, U.S. EPA found some violations and made a number of recommendations to improve the facility's operations.

     "We appreciate the cooperation of the state Department of Health in working with us on these complicated geothermal issues," said Keith Takata, U.S. EPA's Superfund director. "During the next year, we will continue to work with the state to ensure that the compliance issues we found are resolved and to implement improvements to the facility's operations."

     With regard to air emissions, the facility failed to conduct some sampling and monitoring and failed to submit certain reports and records. U.S. EPA is recommending that the permit covering air requirements be reexamined to clarify air monitoring and recordkeeping requirements.

     The report also identified several violations of the underground injection control permit including failure to monitor for certain compounds and to follow certain groundwater monitoring procedures. Recently, the state suggested that U.S. EPA issue its own underground injection permit to assure that all federal requirements are met. U.S. EPA will address the violations in the issuance of a new federal permit, with public review and comment incorporated as part of the permit process.
 
     Additionally, the report recommends making several improvements to the facility's draft emergency response plan. Later this year, U.S. EPA is planning a more extensive review of the facility's plan and how it operates in conjunction with the county's plan.

     The inspection was initiated by U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Felicia Marcus after hearing concerns raised by community members during a visit she made to the Big Island.  

     The Puna facility produces electricity using the steam from groundwater that is heated by a subsurface geothermal resource. The facility operates under permits issued by the Hawaii Department of Health and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.

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