Ormat's to cut noise level at 34-MW Hawaii geothermal plant - report

Nov 2, 2012 - US firm Ormat Technologies (NYSE:ORA) plans to install sound barriers at its 34-MW Puna geotherma plant in Hawaii to cut noise levels in future drillings, West Hawaii Today said yesteday, citing Paul Thomsen, Ormat's head of policy and business development.

Moreover, the geothermal power company will expand existing sound walls and will install a muffler around a truck-driven drill that will carry out maintenance works at one of the company’s wells next month.

The sound reduction measures come after the Puna Geothermal Venture has been subject of harsh criticism over its drilling project that lasted 24 hours a day from March to July this year.

In response to the criticism County Council chairman Dominic Yagong put forward a piece of legislation to ban geothermal well drilling at night. The bill will be discussed on Friday and if approved it would limit drilling activities that take place within one mile (1.6 km) of a residential area to between 0700 and 1900 local time.

Ormat is against the bill, arguing that a suspension of drilling during the night would pose safety risks and lengthen the projects development.

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