(ABOVE) Photo of the Puna Geothermal Plant courtesy HELCO

POHOIKI, Hawaii – The Puna Geothermal Plant is coming back online after being knocked off by Hurricane Iselle.

Company representatives say PGV shutdown on the evening of August 7 when the storm toppled trees onto Hawaii Electric Light Company transmission lines.

A civil defense alert was issued concerning an “uncontrolled” hydrogen sulfide steam release. Later, company representatives refuted the emergency description, saying the 38-megawatt power generating station “was shutdown as designed”, and that there was no “uncontrolled release” or “spill” at the facility “contrary to some initial reports by commentators”.

The incident created concern among nearby residents, many of whom were already reeling from Iselle. A number of people attributed feeling ill to the PGV shutdown. There have already been meetings in the community on the topic. We will have an in-depth story on this later this evening.

Today, Hawaii County Civil Defense issued an alert concerning the return of PGV to power generation.

PGV reports that as part of the restoration of power to Puna, their plant is coming back online. The plant is expected to be in full operation by the end of the week. Residents should expect to hear the sounds of normal plant operation.

For the latest PGV status update, call 934-9072.

Again, PGV reports that as part of the restoration of power to Puna, their plant is coming back online. The plant is expected to be in full operation by the end of the week. Residents should expect to hear the sounds of normal plant operation.

For the latest PGV status update, call 934-9072.Hawaii County Civil Defense message