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EPA ISSUES PUNA EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN REPORT

Release Date: 9/13/2000
Contact Information: Wendy L. Chavez, U.S. EPA, (415)-744-1588

     SAN FRANCISCO   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued its final  emergency response plan review for Puna Geothermal Venture and Hawai'i County that includes several measures that could be undertaken to improve safety at the facility.

     The EPA also announced that $25,000 has been given to Hawai'i County for implementing recommendations to update hazardous substance response guidelines in the local emergency operations plans.
     
     The report outlines specific measures to be included in the emergency response plans based upon recommendations by the EPA team, the outside evaluators and community comments received during a three month public comment period in 1999.  The report also includes detailed responses to comments the EPA received on the project.

     The EPA's primary recommendations are as follows:

          Improve hydrogen sulfide monitoring practices around the facility's perimeter;

          The county should establish a technical work group to evaluate evacuation needs,procedures and resources;

          Both PGV and the county need to coordinate planning and conduct joint training exercises.
               
     "This review based largely on community concerns addresses management practices the facility and the county can incorporate should an accident take place at the facility," said Keith Takata, EPA Superfund director of the Pacific Southwest.  "Now we urge everyone to work together to make sure that this report is implemented."    

     Members of the public can find more information on the report by contacting Mike Ardito at (415)744-2328 or toll-free at 1(800)231-3075.  The report and fact sheet are also available on the
web at https://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/puna.