Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Friday, Feb. 12, 2016

Sign up today for tomorrow's Composting Workshop at Earth Matters Farm. See more below. Photo from Earth Matters

HAWAI`I HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE’S Energy & Environmental Protection Committee advanced Ka`u Rep. Richard Creagan’s bill regarding solar energy facilities. As amended, HB2636 would require solar projects generating more that 25 kilowatts of capacity in agricultural districts to obtain special permits. The bill is Creagan’s response to a proposed project in Hawaiian Ocean View Ranchos that would place 30,000 solar panels on 26 lots scattered throughout the neighborhood.

      Testimony from residents focused on unintended consequences of a law allowing solar projects in ag districts.

      Phillip Stuart-Sharkey said, “Passing HB2636 is essential if we are to correct what Gov. Ige described as an 'unintended consequence' of poorly drafted legislation.
      Peter and Ann Bosted testified, “This law, though well-intentioned, has had unforeseen consequences, including no public hearings/comment, no fire mitigation plan, no EIS or archeological study, no plan for the decommissioning of the abandoned project, no plan for toxic clean-up, (and) no consideration of diminished property values.”
      Sandra Shelton, Secretary of Hawaiian Ranchos Community Association, wrote, “While we are in favor of solar because it is relatively clean and renewable, these farms are very dangerous, even when surrounded by unsightly industrial security fences, because of there proximity to homes and people. It may be legal, but it is wrong. There are often unintentional bad consequences of well-intentioned laws, and this is a prime example.”
      Barbara Winch said, “There was a loophole in the law to allow an individual into a residential area for industrial solar installations. Our area in Hawai`i County was declared an extremely high fire hazardous area due to the dry conditions. We are required as homeowners to keep a 4,000-gallon tank on our property. This is a safety issue for the homeowners here. In our `ohi`a trees is where the Hoary bat (an endangered species) nests. It has already affected property values, which in turn will affect the revenue the state receives. Please do not allow our community life to be compromised.”

      Former Hawai`i County Planning Director Chris Yuen opposed the bill. “I can understand why a neighbor of a project like this might rather see a vacant lot next door rather than a solar array protected by a fence,” Yuen testified. “It is not visually appealing. But it is not significantly less attractive than many other uses that can be made of that same lot in the ag district. For example, the lot could be covered in shade cloth structures. And I don’t see why the government, in balancing the various interests involved, would change the laws allowing a solar development like this, which would, on each lot, generate enough electricity for 50-100 homes. …

      “I hope the developers, like anybody, try to be good neighbors and accommodate the reasonable concerns and wishes of their community. But the Legislature should not ban PV projects like this and others that can help reduce global warming.”