Gathering Places
Gathering Places
Homeland sustainability
key to homeland securityFeb. 1 marked the beginning of a serious undertaking by the 10 members of the House Select Committee on War Preparedness: to assess the negative impacts that a war with Iraq would have on Hawaii's economy, as well as its access to fuel and other necessary supplies. As we consider our future, it is clear that energy sustainability walks hand in hand with war preparedness.
Our island economy is particularly vulnerable to an energy crisis, as the vast majority of the fuel generating our electric power is imported. Ninety-six percent of Hawaii's energy comes from fossil fuels. Hawaii does not produce its own oil or coal, but depends on foreign and mainland sources. As the nation begins to feel pressure from the conflict overseas, it is safe to assume that our supply of oil from the mainland could be reduced as resources are dispersed among other states. As for our foreign supply, clearly we cannot rely upon it.
We also must not forget the gas shortage of the mid-1970s. The hard truth is that the fuel that powers our cars, homes and businesses is not a source on which Hawaii can depend. We must develop a fuel-management plan alongside a firm commitment to our renewable, sustainable energy industry. Toward this end, several bills already have been introduced.
HB7, Relating to Renewable Energy, and HB12, Relating to Renewable Portfolio Standards, are designed to encourage the advancement of new renewable energy industries, as well as spur along the transition for existing companies. HB7 authorizes an income tax credit for renewable energy systems that are placed in service after June 30, 2004. HB12 proposes that we increase the net electricity sales procured from eligible renewable resources to at least 20 percent by Dec. 31, 2016.
HB10 and HB9, Relating to Public Utilities, are intended to let consumers and the Public Utilities Commission help create Hawaii's sustainable future. HB10 requires retail suppliers of electricity to disclose information about their use of renewable (solar, wind, wave) vs. non-renewable (oil, coal) sources for the electricity they sell to customers. Consumers must know the sources of their electricity, as they have the powerful capacity to pressure on their energy providers to change the status quo.
HB9, Relating to Public Utilities, allows the PUC to consider factors that encourage energy conservation or renewable energy development when determining the cost of our electricity. To get the state on board in our efforts and to save taxpayer money, HB8, Relating to Energy Efficiency in State Facilities, mandates better energy management in all state facilities.
All in all, these bills promise a boost in our economy, new jobs, a reduction in air and water pollution, a considerable decrease in our power bills and a form of homeland security that will prove invaluable.
The Center for a Sustainable Future's new report, Preliminary Assessment of Energy Sustainability in Hawaii, declares that "unless Hawaii's legislative and executive branches, along with the private sector and the utilities, make a firm commitment and investment in the development of a renewable energy sector in Hawaii, the islands will remain overly dependent upon fossil fuels for energy into the foreseeable future." Thus, it bears tremendous weight that Governor Lingle was one of the many citizens, educators, scientists, diplomats and policy makers to give up a Saturday afternoon for the Jan. 11 Conference on Sustainability. Lingle has shown her dedication to Hawaii's future; I hope the rest of us will follow her lead.
In 2003, I cannot overemphasize the necessity of our move toward the development and use of our abundant renewable energy sources here in paradise. To echo the warning of Sustainability Workshop panel member John Bullard, "If you do not change course, you'll get where you're headed." Here at the Capitol, we are working hard to ensure that Hawaii's course is in exactly the right direction.
Rep. Cynthia Thielen, R, Kaneohe-Kailua, is assistant minority floor leader and a member of the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee.