Lt. Governor Marks Renewable Milestone in Hawai`i

"When Big Island residents are sleeping, geothermal energy might becharging their electrical vehicles or producing hydrogen fuel," said Lt. Governor Aiona.

"That this single power plant provides nearly 20 percent of the Island'selectricity without exhaust or emissions, without burning a single drop offossil fuel, and without relying on the geopolitics of nations halfway aroundthe globe is truly amazing," he added.

Hawai`i recently announced plans for electric vehicle recharging stations across the state-only the second of its kind announced in the nation. The network could be a prototype for the adoption of electric cars in communities across the United States. An electric car powered by geothermal energy was on display at the PGV event.

"Hawai`i Island promises to be in the forefront of the electric vehicle network because our island already has more than 30 percent of its electric power coming from alternatives -- 20 percent from here at PGV," said MikeKaleikini, PGV plant manager.

Roughly 200 business and community representatives, supporters, colleaguesand employees of PGV attended a luau luncheon at the plant facility in Pahoa,Hawa`ii.

In operation since 1993, Puna Geothermal Venture delivers 30 megawatts offirm, renewable energy to Hawai`i Electric Light Company, providing nearly 20 percent of the Big Island's electricity needs. The only commercial geothermal power plant in the state, PGV is located in Puna District in Kilauea Volcano'sEast Rift Zone. State-of-the-art technology generates power by extracting steam and hot water from this volcanic hot spot and converting it into electricity. One hundred percent of its fluids are injected back into theEarth's interior without exposure to the open air. As a result the plant has near zero emissions.