New Conditions Placed on PGV for Start-Up Operations

In-formation. Bulletin Drilling Resumption 'at Puna Geothermal Venture Published by the County of Hawaii and State of Hawaii • March 1992

New conditions placed on PGV for start-up operations Task force bans open venting, tightens drilling requirements, cuts emissions After meetingthe termsand conditions prioritywiththenewrequirements andthe of a major overhaul on drilling, safety commitmentof more than $1.6 millionin requirements and enforcement, Puna State fundsto ensure compliance." Geothermal Venture (PGV) has received The County suspended drilling permission to complete its 25-megawatt operations at the facility in June, 1991. electric power plant in Kapoho. afteran uncontrolled wellblowout. Since The new criteria were issued in a then a County-State task force and Geothermal Management Plan prepared independent consultants· have developed by a joint County-State task force. The the Geothermal Management Plan to plan tightens dr..iing requirements. addressa wide rangeof concerns. improvesemergencyresponseprocedures, The Management Plan includes: This sketch shows what will be Hawaii's first commercial geothermal power plant. improves emission requirements for • a ban on the open venting of new or The facility in Kapoho will deliver 25 megawatts to Hawaii Electric Light Co. hydrogen sulfide and noise, upgrades existing wells, monitoring equipmentand adds staff to -. an upgrade of the air monitoring ensure enforcement. program to meet the recommendations $1.6 million released to staff and equip "Iamadvisedthatthenewrequirements of independentconsultants, add up to the stiffestset of safety controls • a stiffeningof noisecontrols. upgraded health monitoring programs on any geothermal facilityanywhere, and To reduce future conflicts between that they exceed,by a significantmargin. PGV and the nearby community,County "As you know, our experience with emergencyprocedures, the regulations imposed on any kind of and State officials have committed to geothermal developmenton the Big Island • three State Departmentof Land and industrial plant in Hawaii," said Mayor a good-faith effort to compensate or suffered a setback last year. But we have NaturalResourcesemployees,includinga Lorraine Inouye. taken soundmeasures to ensure the safety geologist,technicianand clerk-typist, See New Conditions page 4 and health of our citizens. Satisfied, we • a geothermalcoordinatorfor theCounty "Our firstpriorityisto safeguardpublic remain determined and committed to the of Hawaii. health and safety. We are meeting this development of geothermal to fill the In addition, the State Department of critical energy needs ofthe Big Island. " Business, Economic Development and On the inside: Tourism has requested authorization to Advisory council fonus - Gov. John Waihee createasimilarpositiontocoordinateState The State Department of Health is Big Isleenergy 1992State of the State message activities. • Gov. John Waihee has released $1.6 While hiring is underway to fill these forming an advisory committeemade up profile million for personnel and upgraded positions,theStatehasreassignedexisting of residents from communities near the' equipmentfor monitoringand overseeing personnelinto seven of the slots. PunaGeothermalVenture(PGV)plant to • PGV project details geothermalactivities. Regardingequipment,the Department exchange information anddiscuss concems • H2S levels In addition, the State Administration of Health has set up four permanent aboutairqualityand noiseassociated with has requested the Legislature set up monitoring stations in the PGV area to addressed permanentfunding of about $1.2 million measureany hydrogensulfideemissions. geothermal development. annuallytocontinuethemonitoringwork. Two are to be upgraded to be in Health Department Clean Air Branch • Relocation issues 'AspartoftheGovernor's commitment, compliance with the new Geothermal ChiefPaulAki,whowillchairthemeetings, new personnelinclude: ManagementPlan. said that community associations have • Otherhealth In addition, two portable high-grade • four Department of Health employees selected persons to sit on the committee (two for air-quality and two for noise Jerome monitors are available for use as concerns monitoring) who willstaffshifts24 hours needed. andthatthefirstmeetingwillbescheduled Changes in a day during Puna Geothermal Venture The developer has also set up three within the next few weeks. Committee • (PGV) drilling.The stafferswill be at the permanent monitoring stations, bringing meetingswill be held monthly. emergency plan State monitoring office in the HGP-A thetotaltoninehydrogensulfidemonitors. Discussions willcoverthefullspectrum 'The PGV facility is the most closely Noiselevels facility next to the PGV plant. of air qualityand noiseissues.OtherState • • an air permittingengineer, regulated geothermal venture anywhere Complaint hot lines • a groundwaterengineer, thatweknowof,"saidDr.BruceAnderson health officials and Hawaii County staff • ,• a plannerto evaluateand update of the State Departmentof Health.• also will attend.• Information Bulletin Page 2 March 1992

exposure to HzS? Response: Before the uncontrolled New criteria set for hydrogen sulfide , ventingatPGVlastJune,criteriahadcalled _------. fora CivilDefensealertwhenH2Sreached Geothermal electric power plants tap 100ppb, a Civil Defensewarningat 1,000 natural steamorpressurizedhotwaterinside HYDROGEN SULFIDE EXPOSURE hourly average in parts per billion (ppb) ppbandanevacuationat 10,000ppb. State the earth. Like other underground energy healthofficialshavesimplified andlowered sources, such as oil or coal, natural steam the action levels; PGV has adopted them' containsunwanted substances. in its EmergencyResponse Plan. Thismixture ofsolids, liquids andgases, Federal level __---:.....----~-p.e--- for workplace The new criteria of 25 ppb for an alert called geothermal brine, includes carbon and 1,000ppbfor a warningarefour to ten dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, hydrogen times more stringentthan before. sulfide andtraceamounts ofradon, mercury, Warning level for Puna public Using computer modeling, scientists lead and other substances. have projectedvariousaccidentscenarios Under normal operating conditions at at the PGV facility. In that modeling, the PGV,boththesteamanditsimpuritiesare maximum accidental exposure level for injected backintotheunderground reservoir onehourunderworst-caseconditionsmight and practically nothingis emittedinto the be 12,786 ppb at a distance of about a air.In theeventof an upset,however,they quarter-mile(0.4kilometer.)That is about can be releasedinto the atmosphere. the distanceto the nearest residence. The State's aim is to preventaccidents, }.I'. 't' hence the Geothermal Management Plan, .~d~~·.'d~~tabi~ •. .: New requirements: with its tightened drilling procedures, : at 5 parts per billion Hydrogen Civil Defense monitoring requirements and stepped-up sulfidelevel response agency enforcement. '*S1l01.1rs Pe~da"y,5days per'week The byproduct of greatest concern is ., ...... ;; . . .".;. 25ppb goon watch hydrogen sulfide gas because it can be toxicinveryhighconcentrations. Hydrogen, I,oooppb warning level sulfide is colorless, slightly heavier than itcancauseanodornuisanceat25ppb,H,S a conservative approach. The DOH to public air, and has a "rottenegg"odor. isnotlikelytocausephysicalhealtheffects considers the odor of hydrogen sulfide at Somepeoplecansmell itdowntoalevel at these levels. They were set to prevent . 25 ppb a serious nuisance and wishes to any level evacuationwhen of about five parts per billion (ppb.) That odor nuisanceproblems. protectthepublicfromnuisancethataffects deemed advisable concentration is equivalent to about three Toxicologists and other experts inside a person's sense of well-being. by Civil Defense teaspoons of chlorine in an Olympic-size and outside government say the first Concern: Can exposure to levels of swimmingpool. physical effects have been observed in HzS below25ppbcauselastingproblems? Previous requirements: Concern: Some say the state's people when H,S reaches 10,000 ppb. Response:Todate,thebulkofscientific .: " 100ppb go on alert, permitted limits for hydrogen sulfide are Exposureto this ievelof H,S over an hour evidence does not support the view that "serious nuisance" nottoughenough; theysaysomesensitive or morecancausetemporaryeye andnose HzS causes chronic long term effects. people,particularly asthmatics andthevery irritationfor some persons. Concern: Whathappensifageothennal l,oooppb warningleveltopublic young, would have negative reactions at The U.S. Occupational Safety and incidentsendslevelsof~S greaterthan25 any level.Otherssay the standards are too HealthAdministration (OSHA) has set an ppb into the air? lO,oooppb evacuationof stringent, citing communities elsewhere H,S standardforworkersat 10,000ppbfor Response: State health officials have affectedpublic.• which are exposed to these levels from eight hours per day. That means workers imposedone-hourcriteriawhichrequirea naturalsourceswithout adverse effects. are allowedto be exposedto levelsof H,S publicwatchat25ppb,andapublicwarning ofthis , Response: The Department of Health all day, five days a week. - at 1,000 ppb. In addition, County Civil ,">"Copies has set limitsof 25 ppb averaged over one At50,000ppb,H,S exposurecancause Defense has- the authority to issue an ;',;'information tabloid, hour, which is the same as California's markedirritation totheeyesandrespiratory evacuation order immediately, without standard, and 10 ppb averaged over 24 tract. Higher levels cause more severe waiting an hour to see if the emissions ,maybe.obtained: hours,after reviewingall the information respiratory distress. reach these levels. available about hydrogen sulfide. While By settinglimitsof25 ppb forone hour Concern: Willevacuationprocedures youcansmellitatlevelsof5 ppb, andwhile and 10ppbfor24hours,theStatehastaken prevent people from receiving excessive

Ways sought to reduce conflicts • a land exchange program in which the Statewouldexploretheavailabilityofnon Relocation, compensation options ceded State-ownedlands, • a transferof developmentrights, or undergo review for nearby Puna area TDR's, where owners could transfer development rights to a designated Countyand State officials are working economic loss, or to receive some receiving area in lieu of building on several concepts to provide relocation compensationif they choose to remain. residenceson their presentproperty. or compensation opportunities for nearby For nearby residents wishing to For residentowners who elect to retain residents of the Puna Geothermal (PGV) relocate temporarily during drilling their present properties, various facility. operations, proposed rules for the, compensation options are under study. The various proposals reflect a CountyofHawaii's Geothermal AssetFund Theseincludedirectmonthly compensation recognition by officialsthata community may allow compensationto bepaid. linkedtoaverageresidential electricity bills conflictwith PGV must be addressed and Foraffectedowner-occupantswhomay in theCounty of Hawaiiand real property that despitesafetyand health regulations, wish to relocate permanently, options tax relief. there may be some nuisance effects the under study include: Afterfurtherpreliminary development, nearerone residesto the development. • a proposal at the Legislature by State the initiatives will undergo a process of Options now being drafted seek to Senator Richard Matsuura for a buy-out public review and comment and would provide residentsand property ownersan plan with the State guaranteeing a fair require County or State legislation or opportunity to relocate without incurring marketprice, agency rules.• March 1992 Informat/on Bulletin Page 3

After a PGV well blowout in June, Evaluation ofradon 1991, State health officials ordered PGV to do an in-depth study on all ~hat is the newly' revised turns up no problem, other contaminants, then linked those results to worst-case accident health officer says scenarios recently developed for the Emergency Response Plan? PGV plant. Part of the Geothermal Management are inspected and monitored to prevent State health officials have H2S serves as a reliable yardstick Plan prepared by ajoint County-State task emergency situations, reevaluated the possible health for overall safety because other force has required improvements in the • describes the warning and monitoring hazards associated with exposure to contaminants found with it are emergency response plan for Puna systems in place to alert personnel and the natural constituents in geothermal proportionally much smaller. "We Geothermal Venture (PGV) to better nearby community about an accident, emissions. These include radon, are confident that protecting for H2S respond to conditions which may threaten • explains training requirements for plant mercury, lead and other substances will also protect against other the health, safety or welfare of employees personnel, including shutting down the found in geothermal wells in Kapoho potential hazards, including radon," and nearby residents. plant,handlingemergencyequipment,spill and other areas. Dr. Anderson said. The County suspended drilling prevention,firstaidandrescue,firefighting During normal power plant "Radon is indeed in geothermal operations last June shortly after an and evacuation, operations at Puna Geothermal emissions and long-term .exposure, uncontrolled, 3D-hourwell blowout. • details procedures PGV will follow to Venture (PGV), all geothermal gases over a lifetime, would be The Geothermal Management Plan coordinate with county, state and federal and fluids will be reinjected back unacceptable. However, the short requires more monitoring equipment and personnelduring and after an emergency, staff. The plan has reduced the levels of ·requires frequent, unannounced into the ground where they term exposures that would possibly result from an unplanned steam allowable hydrogen sulfide (H 2S) emergency preparedness drills for originated. Since there are emissions and noise, and has set up two personnel, practically no emissions, there is no release would not significantly increase risk." levelsforactionbyCivilDefenseauthorities • addresses responses, notices and hazard associated with normal to replace a previous three-tiered plan. procedures in the event of natural operations. Underground steam State health officials said the All decisions about notifying nearby hazards such as lava flows, earthquakes However, health officials are residents ofemergencies at the plant, and and storms. concerned about unplanned releases, precise amount of radioactive radon in Puna's underground steam is evacuating them ifnecessary, willrest with For PGV employees, the ERP requires which are addressed in the the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency at least three persons trained in handling uncertain, but agree with PGV Emergency Response Plan. Plans and the Department of Health. hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emergencies to are in place to assure that the public geochemical consultant Paul Hertz In this regard, any uncertainties will be be present during drilling work shifts. is protected from potential hazards that the numbers are most likely less resolved in favor of protecting public It also requires, before the start of than 2 picocuries per cubic liter of should an upset condition occur. health and safety. operations, training by a certified H2S Reevaluation uncondensed steam. Among other matters, the ERP: safety instructor for all drill workers It is because more precise numbers "Hydrogen sulfide (H 2S) is still • spellsoutprocedurestoidentifyandnotify and contractors. the most important public health have not yet been pinned down for all residents within the affected area of The ERP requires PGV's drilling new wells that the Department of concern associated with geothermal possible emergencies and warnings, superintendent to be certified in H2S development in Hawaii," said Bruce Health will, require developers. to • describes potential problems and gives 'safety, and for the superintendent to Anderson, Ph.D., deputy director for carry out well-specific testing.• technical data on the nature ofthem, carry out one or more unannounced environmental health. "Based on a • identifieshowthewellsandplantfacilities emergency response drills monthly.• thorough reevaluation of existing data by our toxicologist and How the revised consultants, we do not anticipate an unacceptable health threat to nearby Emergency Response residents." Dr. Anderson continued, "To be Plan operates . sure that we have good data to As one of the conditions for Puna N reevaluate hazards in the future, Geothermal Venture (PGV) to resume geothermal developers will be operations, the joint County-State task required to run periodic tests. force has required the plant to upgrade its Additional measurements will begin Emergency Response Plan (ERP). / as soon as PGV resumes drilling and In the event ofan accident, the Hawaii flow testing." County Civil Defense Agency will Scientists have carried out tests determine whether to issue a watch or a on radon in particular for years along warning notice to the surrounding the rift zone where the PGV plant is community. located. Radon is a radioactive gas The key for Civil Defense authorities found naturally in the air, ground todecide whether to take actionis based on '\ ~/ LEILANI' .', and in groundwater. Exposure to the projected exposure of nearby residents // ,/?'\,EST'9'ES/ /\ ~.. •. .< . .I, • high levels over a long period of to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions from time has been associated with an an accident at the PGV plant. A , increased risk of lung cancer. The basic principleis thatCivil Defense A . ~ Homeowner exposure will issue an alert, or a warning, to the "• i On the Mainland, where radon is publicdepending on the possible exposure ...... more of a problem, the U.S. level to H2S emissions caused by an Environmental Protection Agency accident. Civil Defense may also issue an says a homeowner should avoid an evacuation notice at any time. In order to help Civil Defense to exposure of four or more picocuries o t I I per cubic liter in the house, based on determine those possible exposure levels, miles 24 hours a day over 7D years. the plant's ERP spells out 12 accident A Health Department air-monitoring station In Hawaii, where homes are built scenarios based on computer modeling. • PGV air-monitoring station with more natural ventilation and The 12 scenarios cover the range of fewer weather-proofing materials, situations where outside consultants and Map above shows location ofPuna Geothermal State health officials believe that Venture facility andpermanent stationsfor the average, sustained level of radon contaminants could be released into the air hydrogen sulfide emissions monitoring. Area of in homes is less than one picocurie. See How ERP works page 4 detail shown at left. Information Bulletin Page 4 March 1992 Why is the power Given the Noise levels vary problems of oil 100 prices and supplies Noise levels from Puna Geothermal 9Q since the 1970's, Venture, as heard at the boundary of the plant important? all levels of 80 ~'"' property, are limited to 55 decibels during government around \.I The Island of Hawaii's total electric the day and 45 decibels at night during the world have 70 generating capacity is 160megawatts. The .... drilling or other regular operations. electric utility is relying on PGV to add moved to reduce C their use of oil for 60 Q) One drilling site, wellpad E, is limited another 25 megawatts in the next month or to 47 decibels at night. two - roughly enough to service 25,000 electricity. For 50 ~ Noise from the power plant is limited to households. That will boost capacity by example, ten years 40 Q) 53 decibels during the day and 44 at night about 15percent to meet demand and ease agoCaliforniarelied Q atthepropertyline.These limitsareintended rolling brownouts and blackouts which on oil for about 50 30 now occur when other power plants either percent of its to protect nearby residents from noise break down or are closed for maintenance. electricity and 20 nuisance associated with geothermal development activities. They will be In the bigger picture, PGV will help decided such 10 reduce the Big Island's dependence on reliance posed an monitored 24 hours a day by DOH staff. imported oil to generate electricity. All unacceptable risk. The workplace limit set by the power plants require a source of energy. Californiaturned Occupational Safety and Health The most common source for the island to alternate energy Administration is 90 decibels for an eight today is oil, providing 73 percent of sourcesandoilthere hourday. • Hawaii Island's electricity. today provides just Oil deposits do not exist anywhere in six percent of its Hawaii. All oil used here is imported from electricity. By Energy sourcesfor electricityfor island ofHawaii, Common questions the West Coast or Indonesia. Those comparison, the with 1992 extrapolation. supplies will become less available new PGV plant Q: Does the facility pose a risk during the 1990's and at some point, will push the Big to public health and safety? Graphic concept courtesy of Hawaiian Electric Co. probably in this decade, Hawaii may have Island's present oil A: Stringent controls have been to begin importing oil from the Middle dependence of 73 placed on drilling and plant East. percent down to 50 percent - to where operations to eliminate as much risk Oil is an international commodity. Its California was a decade ago. ...how ERP works as possible. In an unlikely worst Critics of the plant say that it will not case situation, residents would be priceandsupplyfluctuategreatlyaccording Continuedfrom page 3 to real or perceived shortages in its reduceoveralloilimportstoHawaiibecause evacuated to avoid exposure to health production and delivery, whether caused refineries on Oahu still must bring in about from any of PGV's wells, its power plant nuisances or hazards. by natural or man-made disasters or by the same amount ofcrude oil and distill it or other facilities. Q: Will air and noise monitoring political strife. into lighter jet fuels, gasoline and diesel The scenarios include worst cases, equipment be in place before drilling The more a community relies on oil for for transportation. both singly and in those combinations resumes? electricity, the more external events affect Whiie debate continues on total oil which experts deem possible. A: Yes. In addition, new its price and supply. Yet the reliable imports, the PGV plant will most The County has required PGV to set up equipment will be added later. production of electricity at stable and definitely reduce the Big Island's two new criteria, or action levels, for Monitoring procedures will continue dependence on oil to generate electricity. to be updated and improved as reasonable rates is essential, not optional, Civil Defense to determine whether an The island will become more independent needed. for an orderly, healthy economy. accident requires a response. from oil for electricity because PGV's Q: Will criteria for PGV be used The new levels replace an earlier three energy source is the local steam reservoir for other geothermal developers? tiered emergencyresponse plan. They also within the earth at Kapoho. A: Geothermal sites have now follow standard Civil Defense terms What is the The PGV plant has drawn criticism different terrain, meteorological instead of State Health Department terms. because of hydrogen sulfide emissions and conditions and other considerations. PGV project? other contaminants in the event of some The first new action level willhelp Civil Sites may need different criteria to kinds of accidents. There are, however, Defense decide whether to issue a watch if ensure safe operations. PGV's The Puna Geothermal'Venture (PGV) major environmental gains which cannot hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions reach 25 criteria may prove helpful to regulate project is an electrical power plant that will be discounted. Each year, the plant will .parts per billion (ppb). The second action future projects.• generate 25 megawatts ofelectricity foruse eliminate 173,000 tons of carbon dioxide level will help Civil Defense determine on the Island of Hawaii. It is the Big that a comparable oil-fired plant would put whether to issue a warning. This action Island's firstcommercialgeothermal plant. into the atmosphere. The plant will also level is based on scenarios where H2S can Forinquiries No other electricity is generated from reduce oil shipments into Hilo Bay by reach 1,000 ppb (or one part per million). . geothermal energy in the state at this time. 450,000 barrels a year.• The 12 scenarios assume that H2S or complaints PGV, a partnership of OESI Power emissions will be sustained at 25 or 1,000 .:' A;'geothermal.hot. line Corporationand Constellation Energy,Inc., ppb over a period ofone hour. . telephone .numberis set up. on will sell the power to the Hawaii Electric The revised ERP allows Civil Defense the IslandOfHawaii for the publici, Light Company. .••.new conditions . to issue a watch or a warning ,tO,Call;,,,i.:wH J:t :~;.an."J.n qIIity.c",o f.i: The PGV plant is located about 21 miles notice right away, without waiting 60 complaint at. anytime, any day... southeast of Hilo in a rural area ofthe Puna Continuedfrom page 1 minutes, and without waiting for results if