Recent quotes made by opponents of the Na Pua Makani Wind Energy project in Kahuku need to be put in perspective (“Group pushes for revision of wind farm’s plan to protect endangered bats,” Aug. 9, Star-Advertiser).
These are the same people who, during the past four years, have seized on any argument, no matter how farfetched, to oppose the project. Their ostensible concerns about wind turbines have run the gamut, from epileptic seizures to brain tumors to wildlife. Let’s just admit some people like the way wind turbines look and others don’t — but those who don’t refuse to say their objections are aesthetic, and instead, continually shift to a new reason once their first claim is debunked.
Windmills cause a tiny fraction of bat and bird deaths. The vast majority of deaths are a result of habitat destruction and predators, such as rats and feral cats. A study by the National Academy of Science estimated that less than 1 percent of avian fatalities are attributed to wind turbines.
Our habitat conservation plan (HCP) addresses these two issues (among others) through habitat restoration and predator control. Without the wind energy project and the HCP that goes with it, the populations of bats and endangered avian species would be under increasing threat and likely to decline further.
The Na Pua Makani HCP was developed with extensive consultation with state and federal agencies over a 3-year period and incorporates all of their recommendations and requirements. In addition, the project has committed to use the best wind energy practices, including low wind speed curtailment, which has proven highly effective locally and across the nation in minimizing impacts on bat populations.
This practice involves shutting off the wind turbines when the wind is blowing less than 5 meters per second during those times when bats are most likely to be flying near a windfarm. The Kahuku Wind Farm, directly adjacent to the proposed Na Pua Makani project, implemented this practice three years ago and saw a dramatic reduction in bat take — specifically, there has been only one bat take observed in the three years since the practice was adopted.
The claims that nobody wants the project do not reflect the sentiments of the current Koolauloa Neighborhood Board or independent research conducted on the North Shore and islandwide.
A survey commissioned by Na Pua Makani and carried out by a Honolulu-based research firm found that among North Shore residents a plurality of residents (almost twice as many) viewed the project favorably, while a minority unfavorably viewed the project, with the remaining residents stated they didn’t know enough about the project or didn’t care.
Na Pua Makani will deliver electricity at approximately one-half the cost of burning oil and will be the lowest cost wind project in the state. As we increase the percentage of renewable energy on Oahu’s grid, we are decreasing our dependence of the volatile overseas oil markets and stabilizing the cost of electricity for Oahu residents and businesses. And we will do this while taking all the measures recommended to protect indigenous endangered species.
The project also will create jobs for the local community and will provide a $2 million benefit fund for the local community over the life of the operation.
Mike Cutbirth is president of Champlin/GEI WInd Holdings.
