DON’T BE MISLED
Opposition Myths Unveiled
Myth: Hu Honua will operate the old Pepe’ekeo power plant.
Fact: The opposition claims that Hu Honua wants to burn biomass in the old plant, using the old boiler, without installing current pollution control technology. Not true. The Pepe’ekeo plant will be refurbished and refitted as a modern plant with new digital controls, new emissions control equipment, siding and mufflers for sound control, fuel-handling equipment, and other efficiency improvements.
Myth: Hu Honua will not conform to the highest air emission standards.
Fact: Hu Honua is installing modern emissions controls that meet or exceed current air emissions standards. This has been stated in writing to the Hawaii Department of Health. We have and will continue to comply with all applicable Department of Health and EPA requirements and have voluntarily agreed to meet BACT (Best Available Control Technology) permit parameters. In addition, the plant is required by the federal and state agencies to meet stringent air quality permitting requirements.
Myth: Hu Honua Bioenergy is falsely claiming to generate “hundreds” of new jobs.
Fact: Hu Honua currently employs four ILWU workers at its bioenergy plant and six contract employees, providing security on a 24/7 basis. Construction will require approximately 100 workers for at least one year. Fully staffed, the plant will have 28-30 employees, and more than 100 jobs will be created indirectly in growing and harvesting biomass, in transporting it to the plant, and in other support services.
Myth: Hu Honua does not have the permits required for operation.
Fact: 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.
Myth: Hu Honua is planning to burn coal.
Fact: Hu Honua’s facility will NOT burn coal. It will operate solely on biomass from the start and will never use coal, even as a back-up source. Our agreement with HELCO requires that we use biomass and no coal. Furthermore, Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company (HC&S) has agreed to purchase a major portion of the coal that was left on the plant site when the plant was shut down.
Myth: Hu Honua is not a local company.
Fact: Hu Honua has offices in downtown Honolulu and the president of Hu Honua, Rick McQuain, is a long-time resident of Hawaii.
Myth: Hu Honua’s plant is falsely claiming to be “carbon neutral.”
Fact: When burned, biomass does release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. However, when biomass crops are grown, an approximately equivalent amount of carbon dioxide is captured through photosynthesis. Hu Honua will grow the equivalent amount of biomass material to offset the carbon dioxide emissions from the bioenergy plant, as well as the biodiesel, which will be used for start-up fuel. Therefore, Hu Honua is carbon neutral, no net carbon added.
Myth: Hu Honua will operate the old Pepe’ekeo power plant.
Fact: The opposition claims that Hu Honua wants to burn biomass in the old physical plant, using the older boiler and without installing current pollution control technology. However, the Pepe’ekeo plant will be refurbished and refitted as a modern plant with new digital controls, new emissions control equipment, siding and mufflers for sound control, fuel handling equipment, and efficiency improvements.
Myth: Hu Honua will not conform to the highest air emission standards.
Fact: Hu Honua is committed to installing modern emissions controls that meet current air emissions standards, and have stated our intention in writing to the Hawaii Department of Health. We have and will continue to comply with all applicable Department of Health and EPA requirements and have voluntarily agreed to meet BACT(Best Available Control Technology) permit parameters. In addition, the plant is required by the federal and state governments to meet stringent air quality permitting requirements.
Myth: The Hu Honua bioenergy is falsely claiming to generate “hundreds” of new jobs.
Fact: Hu Honua currently employs 4 ILWU at its bioenergy plant and 6 contract employees providing security on a 24/7 basis. Construction will require approximately 100 workers for about one year. Fully staffed, the plant will have 28-30 employees, and over 100 jobs will be created indirectly in growing and harvesting biomass, in transporting it to the plant, and other support services.
Myth: Permits?
Fact: Hu Honua plans to file an Air Permit application with the Hawaii Department of Health in August, and will subsequently file an application to modify its Special Management Area (SMA) permit by the end of September. The process for approving both permits will provide opportunities for public input and comment, including public hearings. Water and solid waste permits will be filed in the later half of 2009.
Myth: Hu Honua is planning to burn coal.
Fact: Hu Honua’s facility will operate solely on biomass from the start and will not rely on coal even as a back-up source. In fact, our agreement with HELCO requires that we use biomass and no coal. Furthermore, Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company (HC&S) has agreed to purchase a major portion of the coal that was left on the plant site when the plant was shut down.
Myth: Hu Honua is not a local company.
Fact: Hu Honua has an office in downtown Honolulu and the president of Hu Honua is a long-time resident of Hawaii.
Myth: Hu Honua’s plant is falsely claiming to be “carbon neutral.”
Fact: When burned, biomass does release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. However, when biomass crops are grown, a nearly equivalent amount of carbon dioxide is captured through photosynthesis. Hu Honua will grow the equivalent amount of biomass material to offset the carbon dioxide emissions from the bioenergy plant as well as the biodiesel, which will be used for start-up fuel. Therefore, Hu Honua is carbon neutral, no net carbon added.
