Building a Clean Energy Future

The energy agreement supports the Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative, a partnership between the State and U.S. Department of Energy which seeks to have 70 percent of Hawai`i’s energy come from clean sources by 2030.

"We are being watched by the entire nation and by people beyond the shores of America because we are moving so rapidly and so confidently into the future," the Governor said.

"We believe that what we're doing is the right thing. We are not going to leave this path. We are going to be successful in it and having everyone on board has given us the confidence to move forward."

Request for Undersea Cable EIS Released

The State issued a request for proposal (RFP) from companies and other interested organizations to conduct an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the  undersea power cable which would connect the islands of Maui, Lana`i, Moloka`i and O`ahu.

The EIS will consider the impacts from the installation, operation, maintenance, possible repair, and potential long-term development envisioned for the interisland power cable, mitigation strategies, and alternatives.  It is a structured public process enabling the communities and other stakeholders to understand the impact of the undersea cable.  The contract award is expected by the end of the calendar year.

"We're moving forward," said State Energy Administrator Josh Strickler. "We've done a lot. There is a lot more to do, but I'm happy to say we're taking the next step."

For more information on the RFP go to: http://www4.hawaii.gov/bidapps

Steady Progress Toward Clean Energy Future

Over the past year, the partnership between the State and Hawaiian Electric has enabled Hawai`i to take critical first steps in reforming the regulatory framework governing the existing electricity system.
Several key reforms agreed to in the energy agreement have become active Public Utilities Commission (PUC) dockets, including feed-in tariffs and decoupling.

In September, the PUC issued its decision and order on the feed-in tariff principles, which provides a price guarantee for electricity produced by sun, wind and hydroelectric sources that Hawaiian Electric companies will pay for renewable energy fed into the electricity grid.  The set rate under the feed-in tariff provides an incentive for renewable energy developers to invest in Hawai‘i by creating certainty and transparency. 

In addition, Clean Energy Scenario Planning and Advanced Meter Infrastructure or "Smart-Grid" (planning ahead to enable more distribution of renewable energy on the grid) are among the other PUC proceedings underway.

Progress has been made on more wind-generated renewable energy such as First Wind's Kaheawa wind farm on Maui that generates 30 megawatts of power on conservation land.  It became the first operating wind farm in the United States to have a habitat conservation plan.

$6 Million in Clean Energy Projects Slated

Governor Lingle also announced that DBEDT, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) and the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) will conduct energy efficiency and renewable projects funded by more than $6 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Energy.  This is part of the economic stimulus American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress earlier this year.

The DHHL will utilize $3 million through its Ho`omaluo Energy Policy program, which outlines five key objectives to achieving healthy, self-sufficient and thriving communities.  DHHL plans to upgrade the energy efficiency of about 400 homestead homes with solar water heaters and compact fluorescent lamps. In addition, $3 million will go to DAGS to install photovoltaics on state buildings as part of its statewide energy savings performance contract.

• "Plans for undersea cable advance," Honolulu Advertiser, October 30, 2009
• Watch this important announcement.