Worked Stopped at Hu Honua Plant

Work has stopped at Hu Honua Bioenergy plant in Pepeekeo, pending final regulatory permits and approvals, Pacific Business News reported.

Hu Honua CEO John Sylvia reported that up to 20 workers would be affected by the temporary shutdown. The company already has extended its construction schedule and cut activity on the site, PBN reported.

Hu Honua Bioenergy signed a power purchase agreement more than a year ago with Hawaii Electric Light Co., planning to be up and running in the fourth quarter of 2014. It also anticipated the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission granting its approvals by the end of 2013.

Sylvia said he had little control over the permitting process, however.

To minimize emissions, Sylvia said the company is installing catalytic reduction technology to control greenhouse gasses, a device for dust collection and another tool for particulate matter collection, the newspaper reported.

The biomass-burning energy project could produce up to 10% of the island’s energy needs.