Man oh man the Ormat controversies... Part ONE (Israel=Ormat=PGV) #WEAREPUNA #ITSTIMEWEBREATHE #PUNA
- Jasmine Steiner
- May 2, 2023
- 5 min read
Ormat Industries, an Israeli-owned company, has been embroiled in controversy in recent years. The company, which specializes in geothermal energy, has faced criticism for its environmental practices and alleged human rights violations.
In 2018, Ormat was fined $2.5 million by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection for violating air pollution (Like they have been doing here since 1989 on the Island of Hawaii) regulations at one of its geothermal plants.
The company was also accused of contaminating the groundwater in the area (same thing here in Puna, Hawaii as they themselves , PGV workers, confirmed at the last community meeting ) Ormat has since taken steps to address these issues, but the incident has raised concerns about the company's commitment to environmental responsibility.
So many here in hawaii have fought this fight yet can get nowhere. Here is a actual PUNA Hawaii GROUNDWATER CASE from 2000 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😭😭😭😭😭😭
"The parties raise numerous issues allegedly supporting Board review. These include:
1) the Region erred in requiring PGV to obtain a federal permit; 2) assuming issuance of a
permit was appropriate, EPA erred in requiring an individual rather than an area permit; 3)
the Region erred in imposing permit conditions unrelated to the protection of an underground source of drinking water (“USDW”); 4) certain permit provisions are so vague as to
be void; 5) certain conditions are clearly erroneous because it is impossible to comply with
them; 6) certain conditions violate SDWA § 300j-4 (Records and inspections) and
40 C.F.R. § 144.5 (Confidentiality of information); and 7) certain provisions contain typographical and other errors and must be revised"
See rest of this document here --- https://yosemite.epa.gov/oa/EAB_Web_Docket.nsf/Appeal~Number/08FC3902D55AE9A885257069005F7D04/$File/puna.pdf
Like this for example- this is something that raises intense concernswith the communityn- this document here ----
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-09/r9uic-hi5-fy16-1r-puna-geothermal-venture-pgv-combined-rtc.pdf - screenshot below-- shows the EPA's response to comments in 2021... says the word MONITOR / MONITORING MANY TIMES , YET PUNA GEOTHERMAL VENTURE (ORMAT) HAS NO MONITORING TO BE FOUND.
In addition to environmental concerns, Ormat has faced allegations of human rights violations in Guatemala (and now here in Puna, Hawaii , see humam rights petition at end of article) . The company has been accused of forcing indigenous people off their land to make way for geothermal projects. (Sound familiar?? #WAOKELEOPUNA ) Ormat has denied these allegations, but the controversy has brought attention to the potential negative impacts of geothermal energy development on local communities ( #WEAREPUNA #SOS #ITSTIMEWEBREATHE
Despite these controversies, Ormat continues to operate and expand its operations globally. As the demand for renewable energy grows, it is important for companies like Ormat to prioritize environmental responsibility and respect for human rights in their operations.
See other controversies with ISRAELI ORMAT , including their links below . We NEED to rid our aina of this . The mere 16% energy it does actually provide the island (not 30 as they lie in the media and state) is. Not. Worth. The. Human. Suffering.
Check this one out for starters :
"Today we reveal how ESG-darling Ormat, a developer and operator of geothermal power plants, has engaged in what we believe to be widespread and systematic acts of international corruption.
We expect the blowback to these revelations to be severe, threatening Ormat’s contracts in its most lucrative markets. In fact, history is already catching up to Ormat’s senior leadership."
☆☆☆☆This one IS a must read guys!! It's way to long to copy/paste all because I am linking all controversies I can find in this one article here so we have them all in one spot !! Link under image below ☆☆☆☆
Or how bout this one.... "Two former employees of Ormat Technologies filed a lawsuit claiming the company lied to the Treasury Department in order to secure more than $130 million in federal grants. The lawsuit was unsealed last year, but has garnered little attention since then "🤔 😕 🙄 ..https://freebeacon.com/issues/former-employees-reid-backed-firm-lied-to-get-stimulus-cash/
Let's continue shall we...
Hears a quote from someone in the community, they left thus in the comments of a article for the january pgv meeting, and it shows how the media never states anything about the controversy with the community or the facr that PGV is totally illegal..
January 30, 2023 at 9:39 pm
"Mahalo for announcement of PGV Public Hearing Jan. 31, 2023 in the Big Island Gazette. There is great concern about PGV’s failure to properly address the dangers of PGV drilling; and the people of the community are extremely alarmed that the PGV has no viable Emergency Response Plan based on actual Worst Case Scenarios. The EPA and former Civil Defense Director(s) demanded PGV to submit all the “Worst Case Scenarios” to be properly assessed for the draft PGV/Community Emergency Response and Evacuation Plan. PGV refused to submit any of the known or possible Worst Case Scenarios. In fact, the EPA sent a report form to me by mail, and all three pages titled “Worst Case Scenarios” was blank. PGV had written not one single thing that could be prepared for.One example is when the Puna Geothermal Venture had a blowout. PGV emitted 180 lbs/hour for 31 hours. The EPA stated, “They should evacuated Pahoa up to 10 square miles! The CRIMINAL INFRACTION LEVEL is 100. lbs. in a 24 hour period.”
The PGV Emergency Response Plan must include all such Worst Case Scenarios. and even a Practice Drill to evacuate Puna up to 10 square miles at any given time of day; to see if it is even possible to evacuate the schools, the communities, and businesses in a timely manner. For the PGV Workers the danger is '1300 ppm+ at the well site according to DOH Ring Map. It is LETHAL in one to two breaths. If its not possible to carry out evacuation, the PGV must stop all drilling of the new well immediately! Because of the danger to the public and the environment, it is not worth the 23 megawatts it produces. PGV could serve the community better converted to solar." - Shelly Mahi on Big Island commenter on Big Island Gazette
Dept of justice...
- In 1985, Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) began operations in the Puna community.
- In 1991, a blowout occurred at the PGV plant, resulting in the release of hydrogen sulfide gas and causing health concerns for nearby residents.
- In 1992, a lawsuit was filed against PGV by the community, alleging negligence and seeking damages.
- In 1993, PGV settled the lawsuit for $1.2 million and agreed to implement safety measures.
- In 2000, PGV proposed expansion plans, which were met with opposition from the community due to concerns about environmental impact and cultural significance of the area.
- In 2004, a new blowout occurred at the PGV plant, leading to the evacuation of nearby residents and reigniting concerns about safety.
- In 2018, a lava flow from the Kilauea volcano threatened the PGV plant, leading to its shutdown and relocation of its equipment.
- The Puna community continues to have mixed opinions about the PGV plant and its impact on the area.
ALOHA ACTIVISM
ALPHA OLA O KA PONO
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