Residents press JERA over LNG plan as board reaffirms conditional opposition

JERA and local partner IQ360 presented to Neighborhood Board No. 34 on July 22 a multi-part proposal to replace O'ahu's aging oil-fired generation with more efficient fuel-flexible turbines and to import LNG via a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) moored offshore near Campbell Industrial Park. Lynn Miyahira of IQ360 said the on-island problem is "we still use about 70% oil" and argued that newer plants and a different fuel mix would lower costs and emissions compared with continuing to burn residual oil.

Eric Montag, vice president of development at JERA, described the LNG receiving system: an offshore vessel that warms liquid gas to vapor and sends it onshore through a subsea pipeline. Montag said the company is in the FERC pre-filing phase and aims for a commercial start around 2030, and that the project cost estimate includes roughly $2 billion for plant upgrades and fuel infrastructure. "These projects don't happen overnight," he said, and invited the community to open houses scheduled in early August.

Community commenters and environmental groups pushed back. A speaker who identified herself as Sherry Pollock said the fossil-fuel industry has "perpetrated the deception" that LNG is a clean bridge fuel and noted JERA's past opposition to a state resolution on ratepayer protections. Greenpeace Hawaii and other commenters warned about methane leakage, life-cycle emissions and potential lock-in of fossil-fuel infrastructure. One participant cited the 2022 Freeport LNG incident in Texas and asked how JERA would respond to operational hazards; Montag acknowledged the Freeport events, said an operator error was identified, and emphasized FERC's rigorous review for safety.

Board members and residents asked for documentation the developer has submitted to state and federal agencies, the scope and timing of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and details about proposed locations. The presenters said the EIS work is in early preparation and will be filed with the FERC process at the end of the year; they confirmed the offshore receiving site is associated with Campbell Industrial Park while a proposed 500 MW power plant site remains under evaluation. "The EIS will be filed when the official FERC permit is submitted," JERA said.

Neighbors asked the company to address the board's existing conditional opposition (Resolution 2026-31) and requested a community benefits agreement if the project proceeds. The board noted it has already adopted a position of conditional opposition toward LNG at Campbell Industrial Park and invited JERA to provide detailed technical, environmental and financial materials and to return for further discussion.

Speakers quoted: "We get 70% of our energy from burning oil," Lynn Miyahira said, and Eric Montag said the project would "help supplement" renewables by providing firm capacity. Community members countered that switching fuels would prolong fossil dependence and called for more renewable rollout and consumer protections.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 2024, topfinish SEG 3550.