A research permit granted for an experiment to inject about 50,000 gallons of liquid carbon dioxide into ocean waters off Nawiliwili is drawing state and national media discussion, and leading some Kaua’i residents to begin protests against the experiment. Isaac
A research permit granted for an experiment to inject about 50,000 gallons of liquid carbon dioxide into ocean waters off Nawiliwili is drawing state and national media discussion, and leading some Kaua’i residents to begin protests against the experiment.
Isaac Harp, ocean program director for the environmental group Kahea and president of the Coalition Against CO2 Dumping, visited Kaua’i this week. Harp gave a presentation at the Anahola Clubhouse Tuesday night, informing Kaua’i residents on the environmental assessment written by the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research (PICHTR).
Harp is telling of a similar experiment that was proposed for waters off Kona last year, but was rejected due to opposition from the public.
In the experiment proposed by PICHTR, liquid CO2 will be injected into Nawiliwili Harbor’s dredged material site, about four nautical miles off the coast.
In their environmental assessment, PICHTR says that carbon sequestration could be essential to preserving or improving the quality of life of the world’s inhabitants. Opponents to the experiment say that PICHTR is in stage one for a money-making venture: Selling the ocean as an alternative dumping site for industries and factories.
Harp says capturing the CO2 will expend at least 30 percent more energy than the CO2 that’s being captured. Kahea is concerned about the possible dangers to marine wildlife and the long-term effects of the study.
Nawiliwili was most likely picked as a test site because the seafloor has already been disturbed, said Allan Ota, Environmental Protection Agency regional ocean dumping coordinator.
In PICHTR’s permit application, they explained the CO2 for the experiment is “food-grade,” such as used to make soda, and will be purchased from a commercial vendor, Ota said. If PICHTR is planning to continue dumping of CO2 in ocean environments, it will most likely contain carcinogens and pollutants; it won’t be “clean” or food-grade, Holzman said.
The permit granted to PICHTR is the first EPA research permit ever applied for in the EPA’s Region 9, which includes Arizona, California, Hawai’i, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and Tribal Nations. Ota said that based on comments he’s seen so far, people are more concerned about what would happen if the experiment were expanded to more locations.
“It is known that small changes in biogeochemical cycles may have large consequences, many of which are secondary and difficult to predict. Of particular concern is the effect of CO2 on the acidity of ocean water,” according to a statement on the U.S. Energy Department Web site (www.fe.doe.gov).
The only way to know what will happen at the test site is to do a baseline study of all marine life, currents, water temperature and seasonal influences on the [seafloor] habitat, Holzman said.
“There are powerful economic and political forces driving this. They try to cut corners whenever they can,” Dr. Dave Holzman, retired university professor, said, referring to PICHTR’s request to waive the environmental impact statement in the Kona experiment. If Kaua’i people are docile and quiet, PICHTR will not have to produce an EIS for Nawiliwili, and do the experiment under our noses, Holzman said.
“When people study this, they come to the conclusion that we’re right; we’re not crazy,” Holzman said.
The EPA has extended the public comment period to May 14, 2002 and will consider any substantive issues raised during the public comment phase. As yet, there are no meetings scheduled for Kaua’i, but Ota said he is awaiting information about possible venues.
Staff Writer Kendyce Manguche can be reached at kmanguche@pulitzer.net and at 245-3681 (ext. 252).
