Geothermal energy development opinion in the County of Hawaii

"Prepared for The Energy Devision, Hawaii Department of Planning and Economic Development."In planning for geothermal development, both the Hawaii County Planning Department and DPED have consistently sought input from the people of Hawaii. In addition to the public forum provided by the State Plan process and the public hearings on specific issues of geothermal development, both agencies have relied on scientific public opinion surveys to measure people's preferences. The State Plan surveys 1 have collected public opinion on alternative energy development (including geothermal) for many years. In 1982, the County of Hawaii conducted a public opinion survey on geothermal development issues in the Puna area 2 to measure sentiment at the heart of the geothermal development region. As inter-island cable development planning proceeds, the County of Hawaii and OPED have again sought to tap public sentiment on the issues. This reportcovers a survey conducted during August 1986 among residents of the County of Hawaii. The research had the following objectives: To measure public opinion in the County of Hawaii relevant to geothermal development for electrical power supplied to Big Island residents only; To measure public opinion in the County of Hawaii relevant to geothermal development of electricity to be exported for use on Oahu; To identify barriers to and opportunities for energy conservation programs including geothermal development. This document presents the findings of that research