According to their new website:
"Hu Honua filed an air permit application with the Hawaii Department of Health in August. Hu Honua also filed an application to modify its Special Management Area (SMA) permit in November. The process for approving both permits will provide ample opportunity for public input and comment, including public hearings. Water and solid waste permits will be filed in the near future.
Showing posts with label Permits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Permits. Show all posts
Oct 31, 2009
Public Notification
Clean Air Branch has a web link to their public notices:
http://hawaii.gov/health/about/admin/health/environmental/air/cab/notices/notices_index.html
Here's an excerpt of the Application for the Covered Source Permit (clean air permit):
VII. After receipt of a complete application, the Director, in writing, shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny an application within eighteen months, except as provided in HAR §11-60.1-88 and (A) and (B) below.
A. Upon program approval, within nine months for an application containing an early reduction demonstration pursuant to section 112(i)(5) of the Clean Air Act.
B. Within twelve months for a new covered source or significant modification subject to the requirements of subchapter 7.
VIII. A Covered Source Permit application for a new covered source or a significant modification shall be approved only if the Director determines that the construction or operation of the new covered source or significant modification will be in compliance with all applicable requirements.
IX. The Director shall provide for public notice, including the method by which a public hearing can be requested, and an opportunity for public comment on the draft Covered Source Permit in accordance with HAR §11-60.1-99. Each notification shall also identify the intent to operate at various locations, and the estimated number of location changes for the proposed term of the Temporary Covered Source Permit.
http://hawaii.gov/health/about/admin/health/environmental/air/cab/notices/notices_index.html
Here's an excerpt of the Application for the Covered Source Permit (clean air permit):
VII. After receipt of a complete application, the Director, in writing, shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny an application within eighteen months, except as provided in HAR §11-60.1-88 and (A) and (B) below.
A. Upon program approval, within nine months for an application containing an early reduction demonstration pursuant to section 112(i)(5) of the Clean Air Act.
B. Within twelve months for a new covered source or significant modification subject to the requirements of subchapter 7.
VIII. A Covered Source Permit application for a new covered source or a significant modification shall be approved only if the Director determines that the construction or operation of the new covered source or significant modification will be in compliance with all applicable requirements.
IX. The Director shall provide for public notice, including the method by which a public hearing can be requested, and an opportunity for public comment on the draft Covered Source Permit in accordance with HAR §11-60.1-99. Each notification shall also identify the intent to operate at various locations, and the estimated number of location changes for the proposed term of the Temporary Covered Source Permit.
Aug 12, 2008
Aug 6, 2008
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
Thanks to Patti & Bob Ferrazi for pointing us to greenhouse gas emissions. Check out the box on the right "Coal Plant Lawsuits" and you'll see some interesting rulings about coal plants in other states requiring a permit for co2 emissions. Does anyone know about Hawaii's plans to regulate these emissions? Can someone research?
Aug 1, 2008
Waiver for Competitive Bidding - PUC
Stacey Djou, chief legal counsel, Public Utilities Commission, told me today that on July 16, 2008 Helco and Heco filed a waiver to suspend competitive bidding on the HuHonua Bioenergy Project. The PUC cannot disclose anything about the filing, and will rule on it once they receive a Statement of Position from the Consumer Advocate, with in the Department of Consumer Avocacy, 808-586-2800
link
link
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.
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.
Jul 30, 2008
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.
He recommends we look into the Ocean Resources Plan and determine any inconsistencies with it and the power plant situation.
Jul 29, 2008
Air Permit Status
Permit 0229-02-C is a Covered Source Permit, issued by the Clean Air Branch, State Dept of Health, transferred from Hilo Coast Power Company to Pacific Rim Energy Partners LLC on 7/19/2005; again transferred on 11/30/2007 to Ethanol Research Hawaii, LLC; and again transferred on 10/17/08 to Hu Honua LLC. The "covered source" is the Babcock & Wilcox steam boiler and diesel generator. The fuel covered is coal and diesel.
Any modification to the fuel type, including wood chips, requires a modification process with the Clean Air Branch. The process is a technical review against the federal and state emission guidelines. It is not a review of the merits of the project.
Process requires a 30 day public notice period for public comment. Notices are published in Honolulu and east and west Hawaii papers. There is no modification in process at this time. This information was given to me by Nolan Harrari, engineer supervisor on 7/29/08.
Obtaining a copy of the existing permit is underway.
Any modification to the fuel type, including wood chips, requires a modification process with the Clean Air Branch. The process is a technical review against the federal and state emission guidelines. It is not a review of the merits of the project.
Process requires a 30 day public notice period for public comment. Notices are published in Honolulu and east and west Hawaii papers. There is no modification in process at this time. This information was given to me by Nolan Harrari, engineer supervisor on 7/29/08.
Obtaining a copy of the existing permit is underway.
Jul 18, 2008
Jul 16, 2008
SMA Permit # 221
Permit restricts fuel to coal or its equivalent. So an amendment to the permit will be needed.
Jul 14, 2008
Water Permits- Clean Air Branch, Dept of Health
Joanna Seto, engineer at the Clean Water Branch, phone (808) 586-4309, says that the new plant operator must obtain two national pollution discharge permits (NPDES and ZOM) - see details on this title's link. Once HuHonua submits applications, the Clean Air Branch issues a draft permit and requires HuHonua to issue a public notice. The public can send comments to the Clean Air Branch during the notice period and all comments will be responded to before a final permit is issued.
Jul 11, 2008
Traffic - Number of Trucks Daily
SUMMARY:
1. HuHonua is under-estimating the traffic they will generate.
2. The resulting truck weight on our bridges poses a dangerous situation.
At the 7-9-08 Pepeekeo community meeting, HuHonua stated that 225,000 bbl of oil will be replaced annually with their operation (this is a 24 MW plant). They say that 1 bbl oil equals 1 ton of biomass. They will bring trucks 5 days/week, 260 workddays per year. So in order to save 865 bbl oil per day, they must burn 865 tons of biomass per day (225,000 tons divided by 260 workdays).
They say 2-3 trucks per HOUR will be needed to haul this biomass to meet their target, that's 16-24 trucks per day. So, in order to save 865 bbl oil per day, 16-24 trucks need to carry 865 tons of biomass per day. Then each truck needs to haul 36-54 tons of biomass on each trip.
The federal highway weight limits the overall gross weight of a loaded tandem axle truck trailer to 34 tons on bridges. So, the number of trucks must be 3 or more per hour and not less than 3 per hour, otherwise the federal highway weight limit will be exceeded.
However, the county of Hawaii says our bridges either "accommodate regulation size vehicles included most truck-trailers" or "accommodates all regulation size vehicles up to 6 tons". HuHonua has provided any certification that their trucks will follow the legal limits.
Hawaii County Bridges, part 1
County Bridges, part 2
Federal Bridge Weight Limits
federal truck weights on highways and bridges
national bridge database
1. HuHonua is under-estimating the traffic they will generate.
2. The resulting truck weight on our bridges poses a dangerous situation.
At the 7-9-08 Pepeekeo community meeting, HuHonua stated that 225,000 bbl of oil will be replaced annually with their operation (this is a 24 MW plant). They say that 1 bbl oil equals 1 ton of biomass. They will bring trucks 5 days/week, 260 workddays per year. So in order to save 865 bbl oil per day, they must burn 865 tons of biomass per day (225,000 tons divided by 260 workdays).
They say 2-3 trucks per HOUR will be needed to haul this biomass to meet their target, that's 16-24 trucks per day. So, in order to save 865 bbl oil per day, 16-24 trucks need to carry 865 tons of biomass per day. Then each truck needs to haul 36-54 tons of biomass on each trip.
The federal highway weight limits the overall gross weight of a loaded tandem axle truck trailer to 34 tons on bridges. So, the number of trucks must be 3 or more per hour and not less than 3 per hour, otherwise the federal highway weight limit will be exceeded.
However, the county of Hawaii says our bridges either "accommodate regulation size vehicles included most truck-trailers" or "accommodates all regulation size vehicles up to 6 tons". HuHonua has provided any certification that their trucks will follow the legal limits.
Hawaii County Bridges, part 1
County Bridges, part 2
Federal Bridge Weight Limits
federal truck weights on highways and bridges
national bridge database
Solid Waste Permit
Please post your research here. We need to know if a solid waste permit is needed if a plant burns biomass. Please document who talked to whom, when, and what was discussed.
