Ammonia Odors from Vermont Biomass Plant

Federal Government granted this community $500,000 to monitor the odors from this biomass plant!
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Meeting with Mayor Kim and Planning Director Yuen

On July 31, 2008 the meeting was attended by Bridget Rapoza, Virginia Alderson, and Elaine Munro. Richard Ha had to cancel at the last moment but told us he was in agreement with our petition.

Chris Yuen explained that he met with a consultant from HuHonua several weeks ago and stated to him that HuHonua must complete an EIS and a new application for the SMA use. Further, the information about their meeting was forwarded to Councilman Dominic Yagong's office.

Both the mayor and planning director assured us that a public hearing would be the process that the planning commission would follow in evaluating the group's plans to re-open the plant.

Coastal Zone Management

I spoke with Doug Tom, program director for the state's Coastal Zone Management Program. He says he's introducing legislation that would tighten SMA rules, because many abuses have been caused because of the broad definition of "development". However, he says that the counties are opposed to the state's "interfering" in their activities. He says that the proposed legislation is aimed at stopping speculation, for instance, where something has not been used continuously and becomes a vehicle for speculators.

He recommends we look into the Ocean Resources Plan and determine any inconsistencies with it and the power plant situation.

County General Plan

Section 3 Energy

SMA Permit # 221

Permit restricts fuel to coal or its equivalent. So an amendment to the permit will be needed.