Living near a geothermal facility (Any downsides?)

[Ryan.]

Has the safety of living near the puna geothermal venture ever been in question? I believe I've heard a couple things in passing, but now that I'm looking at purchasing nearby I thought it might be worth asking.

I also noticed the following question on the Hawaii Association of Realtor's Real Property Disclosure Statement. (51) Is this Property located in a geothermal subzone or near a geothermal facility? In this case the answer is 'yes.'

So what are the concerns?

Thanks,
Ryan

[mella l]

In the beginning there was much controversy if I remember correctly. However after we spent a good deal of time in and around the geo thermal area and plant we felt it was of little concern. Perhaps some of the Leilani folks will chime in here and give you their opinions.

mella l

NO really! I don't, want to read your blog!

[Rob Tucker]

There is always a risk of a well blow out and toxic fumes being released. The start up years for the facility were very stressful for local residents and there were bad health affects. A relocation fund was established to prepare for disaster. Unfortunately Emily Naeole-Beason had been depleting that fund and using it as her private contingency fund. Easier I guess than writing and passing bills for misc. uses. Some feel that the money, or a good portion of it, should be invested in a safe emergency facility in event of a blow out.

While the geothermal plant has been under new management this past ten years the problems and memories have faded some but not gone away.

[Jay Bondesen]

When we bought in Leilani we really only considered the noise as an issue and so ended up not looking at some of the lower lots. There is a small chance of a well 'blow-out' releasing seriously hazardous gasses but I guess since we live in lava zone 1 anyway we didn't see it as a big additional issue. There is a bit of pounding and clanking when they need to work on the wells though. Some people still oppose the whole concept but I would like to think that we can find a way to tap the energy we have rather than shipping it in.

Jay

[leilaniguy]

I've been in Leilani 10 years now, GEO is really a non-issue for me. I know one guy on lower Leilani Ave, who sued GEO to be relocated because of "health issues". He was finally bought out and moved... across the street.

[Ryan.]

Thanks for sharing your insights. It prompted me to do a little searching. Found a very interesting article on the subject. Here's the link to the Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/n...awaii.html

p.s. Reading the article, it sounds like there's potential for some scary happenings related to the PGV. I just signed documents on a property 3 1/2 miles upwind of there (Kapoho). Now that I've read this, I certainly hope it's far enough.

[mdd7000]

This is general paranoia and partly rooted in possible monetary gains.

Iceland has had extremely large-scale geothermal plants for many years with no ill effects of their people.
You should be more concerned with the output of the volcano, both gaseous and lava, than a modern geothermal plant. The old-style geothermal plants would be a different story. They don't return the steam and gas to the earth. They send them into the air, just like the volcano does.