January 24, 2019
Hawaii

Proposed West Oahu wind farm gets voted down at neighborhood board meetings

West Oahu residents speak out against proposed wind farm project | By Eliza Larson | KITV Channel 4 | January 23rd 2019 | www.kitv.com

West Oahu residents continue to speak out against the Palehua Wind Project, a plan to place 13 large wind turbines along the mountain ridge line overlooking Makakilo, Ko Olina, Kapolei, and other west side communities.

The project by Eurus Energy was designed to help reduce energy costs for West Oahu residents and provide a renewable energy source. It has not gained government approval yet, but neighborhood boards still voted against it

Wednesday night, the Makakilo, Kapolei and Honokai Hale, passed a resolution 6 to 1 opposing the project, citing issues such as the impact on wildlife, a lack of wind due to climate change, the eyesore it would create on the mountain ridge line and the impact that would have on jobs, tourism, and housing.

Another major issue for some in attendance at the neighborhood board meeting was the lack of information from Eurus Energy and the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.

“We’re being asked to have the PUC approve the power purchase agreement before any of this information is provided to see whether or not the consequences of placing that wind farm up there is going to be more detrimental or benign,” said Cynthia Rezentes, chair of the Nanakuli Neighborhood Board. They are also against construction.

KITV4 reached out to Eurus Energy for comment but we have not heard back.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/01/24/proposed-west-oahu-wind-farm-gets-voted-down-at-neighborhood-board-meetings/