Mayor Billy Kenoi says he will move forward on a study of the potential health effects of geothermal energy in the Puna district, in response to recommendations from a community task force. 

The study comes as Hawaii Electric Light Co. is moving to expand geothermal energy on the Big Island.  

From the Hawaii Tribune Herald:

The group recommends a health study address four hypotheses: central nervous system degradation will be higher in a sample population as a result of peak exposure to hydrogen sulfide; central nervous system degradation and other health effects from hydrogen sulfide will be greater in areas of highest exposures; contamination of heavy metals and chemicals from geothermal development may have impacted drinking water supplies; and residents who live closest to PGV may be more likely to show anxiety disorder symptoms.

How soon such a study could be implemented remains to be seen.

“We know this is going to take a few months,” Kenoi said. “We would like to move as quickly and as expeditiously as possible.

“To get this done by the end of the year or early 2014, that would be great.”

Photo: Puna Geothermal Venture

— Sophie Cocke