08-13-2009, 01:01 PM
Dear Puna People,
We in Laupahoehoe are asking for your attention and support regarding the HAWAII EXPERIMENTAL TROPICAL FOREST plans to run power poles into Laupahoehoe State Forest in spite of community opposition. The following letter summarizes our thoughts. It has been sent to government officials and local papers.
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This letter is to make you aware of a grid powered project in the Laupahoehoe state forest inconsistent with the energy goals of the Lingle and Obama administrations. It is the HAWAII EXPERIMENTAL TROPICAL FOREST (HETF) directed by Boone Kaufman under the umbrella of the USDA Forest Service and the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources. The proposal is to build a Research and Education Center to study global warming. Energy will be obtained by running 3 miles of power poles through an off grid rural area into pristine forest.
The project is in the environmental assessment phase and because of public protest, coordinators are in the process of reevaluating the feasability of using solar power to meet their energy needs. The belief of many in the community is they have no intention of using solar to power their facility. They have ignored requests for a community advisory panel and have been unwilling to consult with community recommended solar contractors.
The revised EA is due out in September and HETF has said it cannot be appealed, Our State representatives will not take a position on this issue. It seems to us that this project is being pushed forward in a "we know best" manner that disempowers the public.
It is disturbing in these environmentally sensitive times to have federal and state government agencies supporting carbon based fuels in the face of the essential paradigm shift necessary to save our planet. We hope that your office can look into this project with a view to expanding their definition of responsible stewardship and an invitation to 'be the change.'
Thank you for your attention. We look forward to your response.
For the Laupahoehoe/Hamakua Community. Mary Dougherty and Scott Sanderson
PLEASE CALL SCOTT SANDERSON AT 963-5282 WITH YOUR THOUGHTS
--THANK YOU PUNA
We in Laupahoehoe are asking for your attention and support regarding the HAWAII EXPERIMENTAL TROPICAL FOREST plans to run power poles into Laupahoehoe State Forest in spite of community opposition. The following letter summarizes our thoughts. It has been sent to government officials and local papers.
-----------------------------------------------------------
This letter is to make you aware of a grid powered project in the Laupahoehoe state forest inconsistent with the energy goals of the Lingle and Obama administrations. It is the HAWAII EXPERIMENTAL TROPICAL FOREST (HETF) directed by Boone Kaufman under the umbrella of the USDA Forest Service and the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources. The proposal is to build a Research and Education Center to study global warming. Energy will be obtained by running 3 miles of power poles through an off grid rural area into pristine forest.
The project is in the environmental assessment phase and because of public protest, coordinators are in the process of reevaluating the feasability of using solar power to meet their energy needs. The belief of many in the community is they have no intention of using solar to power their facility. They have ignored requests for a community advisory panel and have been unwilling to consult with community recommended solar contractors.
The revised EA is due out in September and HETF has said it cannot be appealed, Our State representatives will not take a position on this issue. It seems to us that this project is being pushed forward in a "we know best" manner that disempowers the public.
It is disturbing in these environmentally sensitive times to have federal and state government agencies supporting carbon based fuels in the face of the essential paradigm shift necessary to save our planet. We hope that your office can look into this project with a view to expanding their definition of responsible stewardship and an invitation to 'be the change.'
Thank you for your attention. We look forward to your response.
For the Laupahoehoe/Hamakua Community. Mary Dougherty and Scott Sanderson
PLEASE CALL SCOTT SANDERSON AT 963-5282 WITH YOUR THOUGHTS
--THANK YOU PUNA