The recently completed PSIA of Hawaiian Geothermal Energy is described, including methodology, conduct, analysis and key findings. Implications of the study are discussed.
“Overview of the Hawaii Geothermal PSIA”
Full Abstract: Over the history of IA, Psycho-Social Impact Assessment has struggled to find its place among required indicators of assessment. The recently completed PSIA of Hawaiian Geothermal Energy will hopefully represent a major breakthrough. As the study’s author, I will present a brief overview of the project, its objectives, methodology, conduct, analysis and key findings. The project grew out of demands from two overlapping groups impacted by geothermal energy: neighbors of the two existing geothermal projects and Native Hawaiian Pele Practitioners. Both target groups have seen their impacts ignored during geothermal siting, permitting and operation. Geothermal plant neighbors have suffered major disasters, contamination, noxious odors and health impacts and have come to doubt the protectiveness of emergency responses. Pele Practitioners have suffered a threat to their belief and practice through the perceived defilement and dissipation of the life force of the Goddess Pele; litigation over their feared religious and cultural loss has failed. Both groups came to view a PSIA as a necessary tool for assuring that their issues are weighed in decisions. With the study completed, the first step in recognizing psycho-social impacts is finally in place.
Dr. Michael R. Edelstein, author of the Hawaiian Geothermal PSIA, developed PSIA over 50 years of research on the human consequences of environmental risk, contamination and degradation.