Posts: 3,212
Threads: 103
Joined: May 2009
Originally posted by HereOnThePrimalEdge - Most likely, if we could see all the various add-on taxes, fees, insurance, cost of studies, and various other expenses that go into the total cost of our HELCO bill, it would be far more than 10 cents...
Not sure of the intent, but the effect seems to muddle understanding of the topic by:
1) falsely equating the geothermal asset fund with fees tacked on by HELCO. The fund is a fixed cost paid for by PGV and not added in to your HELCO bill.
2) lacking the characteristic HOTPE wit or references.
For nickle-and-diming, I always like the Taxman from Popeye movie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl4322q9MYI
but much of what you'd said reminds me of Homer complaining about the Bear tax
https://youtu.be/OkV_ztynYDM?t=236
Posts: 3,212
Threads: 103
Joined: May 2009
Originally posted by Kapoho Jo - I still do not understand how the Geothermal Relocation Fund can be raided for these endless 'studies'.
So for clarity, the Geothermal Asset Fund is separate from the Geothermal Relocation Fund.
The Geothermal Asset Fund was put in place as part of the 1993 geothermal permit and over 20 years was almost completely untouched until the Geothermal Public Health Assessment Study Group in 2013 drafted recommendations that have slowly begun to be adopted (additional air monitors, groundwater sampling, assessing HGP-A status, and a health study).
http://westhawaiitoday.com/news/local-ne...evelopment
The Geothermal Relocation Fund is separately funded from the geothermal royalties which are the 10% of revenues PGV pays to State, County, and OHA. This fund has been tapped repeatedly by County Council to pay for other community projects, such as Pahoa roads, limiting the number of people able to relocate.
Not sure which "endless" studies you are talking about, but the current health study would be funded from the Asset Fund has no impact on the finances or operation of the Relocation Fund.
Posts: 10,988
Threads: 749
Joined: Sep 2012
but much of what you'd said reminds me of Homer complaining about the Bear tax
Me & Homer, we're both still outraged. Outraged!
I moved to Hawaii 30 years ago in part to avoid paying a Bear Tax, not to mention a Snake Tax. All in all, as plans go, it's worked out pretty well so far, although admittedly, other reasons may have turned out to play a larger factor in my contentment.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
Posts: 4,213
Threads: 96
Joined: Mar 2014
The fund is a fixed cost paid for by PGV and not added in to your HELCO bill.
-----
Partly true. Where does PGV's money come from? Customers pay HELCO, who pays PGV. All of these extra fees and royalties come from the electric bill paying public. The cost of nearly everything on this island is affected by the cost of electricity.
Posts: 14,083
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
Where does PGV's money come from? Customers pay HELCO, who pays PGV.
Never forget that PGV sells their electricity at "cost-avoidance" pricing, which is probably 3-4 times the actual cost of production.
Posts: 5,640
Threads: 101
Joined: Dec 2008
More info on geothermal in Iceland. If only people here were as adventurous.
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20161221...-the-world
