The Best Solution is Conservation!
We can save much more than 225,000 bbl oil if ONLY the Mayor and Helco made a major campaign to conserve. Compared to other states, we spend more for energy and get less because we waste what we have.
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Hawaii County Facts
1. According to a 2007 study done for the county, "Energy planners at Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO) believe the greatest single
residential end-use application of electricity to be water heating on the eastern side of the island
and air conditioning on the western side".
2. Hawaii currently has 300 MW of electrical generating capacity and plans to add 30 MW to 60 MW over the next 20 years.
Hawaii Energy Policy Forum's 10 Point Plan
“Smart energy solutions to sustain a
healthy, secure and prosperous
Hawaii”
1. Expand Renewable Energy Opportunitieshealthy, secure and prosperous
Hawaii”
2. Promote Conservation and Energy Efficiency
3. Reduce Green House Gas Emissions in Hawaii
4. Foster Civic Action and Participation
5. Enhance Regulatory Goals and Protections
6. Encourage Culturally Appropriate and Sustainable Energy Planning
7. Improve Energy Efficiencies and Options in Transportation
8. Support research and development of alternative energy sources (hydrogen, wave energy, etc.)
9. Support sustainable development and use of biofuels
10. Ensure the security and reliability of energy supply and distribution.
Hawaii Energy Policy Forum and County Research Reports
HELCO's Reputation with the State is Poor vis a vis New Facilities
The process of obtaining all necessary permits and approvals for a major energy facility is
formidably difficult. The response of state agencies to applications in Hawaii is not coordinated or
efficient.
An example is the recent process on the Island of Hawaii to select, permit and build HELCO’s
latest large power generation unit addition. HELCO was not able to build its own proposed
expansion at its Keahole plant site. DLNR and HELCO battled in court regarding Keahole
permitting issues. Several independent power producers (IPP’s) clamored for the opportunity to
force HELCO to negotiate a contract under the provisions of federal law. Each IPP filed a
complaint docket with the PUC. The utility was forced to simultaneously negotiate with several
IPP’s and appear before the PUC regarding the complaints as well as respond in a docket
investigating contingency options for delays in adding new generation. Even though it was clear
that only one power plant would eventually be built, the Hawaii Department of Health was forced to
process several simultaneous voluminous PSD air quality permit applications which severely
overtaxed its staff. Meanwhile, in lieu of timely addition of new generation, HELCO was forced to
build contingency generation units, utilize high-cost and polluting power sources and its electric
system reliability was reduced. This was not a model of regulatory efficiency.
Hawaii Energy Utility Regulation and Taxation Report
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