Le Vaomatua, a local environmental organization that has been dormant for well over two decades, is raising concerns about the proposed wind farm project by Tutuila Wind Energy and the American Samoa Power Authority.
In a Facebook post, Le Vaomatua says that the area being eyed for the 42 megawatt wind farm is a habitat for many indigenous plants, insects, birds, and bats, including 2 endangered terrestrial snails and the rare Samoan Swallowtail butterfly.
“This unique forest is made up of multiple watersheds that feed into streams, valleys, coastal waters, and reefs on both the North and South shores of Tutuila. The many reefs and coastal waters that this area drains to are important to local fisheries and are habitats for endangered coral reef and turtle species. This intact forest also acts as a collector and filter of the groundwater for Western Tutuila. Also, in this forest, are areas of cultural, historical, and archeological importance.”
Le Vaomatua states, “We understand American Samoa’s need to develop alternative energy projects to reduce our reliance on imported fuel, but we feel this unique and pristine rainforest is not the right site for this 42-megawatt wind farm.”
Officials of Tutuila Wind Energy, which is the developer for the project, says an environmental impact assessment will be carried out. The company, comprising two major Japanese firms, Nippon Koei and Renova, have hired an environmental engineer and says it’s also liaising with the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
They stressed that the project is at the conceptual design phase and there are surveys, geotechnical studies, and other research that will be carried out.
ASPA Customer Service Manager, Ryan Tuatoo, says they have also engaged landowners in the discussions.
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A voluntary townhall meeting about the wind farm project will be held 10 am Saturday at the ASCC MultiPurpose Complex. Due to COVID restrictions, the first 100 people will be allowed in.
