The state Department of Health’s Clean Air Branch fined seven companies, including Puna Geothermal Venture and Ludwig Construction Inc., for violations.
According to the DOH, Puna Geothermal Venture was cited for operational, emission and notification violations. The violations were determined from inspections and a review of PGV’s incident reports. PGV was fined $11,100.
Keaau-based Ludwig Construction, meanwhile, did not conduct annual performance tests for 2015 and 2016 on their mobile crushing plant, the DOH said. The company also was late in submitting its permit renewal application and semi-annual monitoring reports. Ludwig Construction was fined $8,600.
Other companies cited include:
• AES Hawaii Inc. in Kapolei, Oahu, for exceeding its three-hour average hydrogen chloride permit limit for Boiler B. Fined $9,400.
• Ala Imua LLC in Kapolei, for operational and notification violations. Fined $9,500.
• Esaki Surveying and Mapping Inc. in Lihue, Kauai, for not submitting its annual fee and semi-annual monitoring reports. Fined $6,000.
• Hawaiian Electric Company Inc. on Oahu, for exceeding the visible emission limits on its boilers at the Waiau generating station in Pearl City and the Kahe station in Nanakuli. Fined $45,300.
• T.J. Gomes Trucking Company Inc. in Wailuku, Maui, for operational and notification violations. Fined $10,600.
In general, fines are assessed to remove any economic benefit a company might have gained by not complying with its permit requirements. All fines are paid into a revolving fund that helps prevent or minimize damage to the environment.
All those responsible have or had the option to request a hearing to contest their alleged violations and penalties, the DOH said.