A program that allows neighbors of Puna Geothermal Venture to sell their homes to Hawaii County is on hold, a move that leaves 30 applications in limbo. The Planning Department, which administers the geothermal relocation program, placed a moratorium on new purchases and auctions of purchased properties in response to uncertainties surrounding the June 27 lava flow, said Joaquin Gamiao, planning administrative officer. The decision was made this month following the purchase of five homes through the program late last year. Those purchases were the first made since the program was flooded with applications in 2012 following renewed controversy regarding geothermal power. One more purchase is being processed and will be completed. Letters notifying the remaining applicants could be sent late this week, he said. While the power plant and its neighbors aren’t directly impacted by lava, the concern is the flow could hamper access to the area and result in the 38-megawatt plant shutting down if it loses its transmission lines, Gamiao said. The county’s share of geothermal royalties is the only funding source for the program. Those payments would cease if the plant shuts down. WHT subscribers follow the link for the full story.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 00:30:10 +0000
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