Puna Geothermal Venture compliance investigation

Abstract

The specific objectives of the investigation were to determine compliance with the following: • Air pollution control regulations, including state permits No. P-833-1524 and No. P-834-1582 • Underground Injection Control (UIC) regulations, including state permit UH-1529 • Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), 42 U.S.C. §11001 et. seq., EPCRA § 301; and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. § 9603 CERCLA § 103. In addition, NEIC personnel identified facility activities/conditions that, although not specifically regulated, could impact the environment. The investigation of PGV included the following: A review of federal and state files An on-site inspection of the facility conducted February 13 through 17, 1995, which included the following: Discussions with facility personnel Observations and evaluation of facility operations Review/copy facility records Sampling of the two groundwater monitoring wells and geothermal reinjection fluid Monitoring of 50 potential fugitive emissions points (valves) in pentane service Personnel from the regional UIC program and NEIC worked as a team to determine compliance with UIC requirements. The technical report has been divided into four main sections: Process Description - which provides an overview of the geothermal process; and the Air, Underground Injection Control, and EPCRA sections which discuss compliance with applicable regulations and permits. These reports form the basis for the summary of findings presented in the following section.