House uses strong-arm tactics on solar mandate

THE ISSUE Lawmakers are holding hostage a bill to require solar water heaters for new homes.

A landmark measure to require new homes be built with solar water heaters, which was widely supported by state lawmakers in both houses, is being exploited as a bargaining chip to leverage another bill that will set aside agricultural land use designations and give tax credits and loan guarantees to landowners.

House leaders should let each bill stand on its own merits instead of threatening to kill beneficial legislation that will loosen the hold of imported oil on Hawaii in an attempt to bully the Senate to approve legislation that will be detrimental in preserving valuable ag land.

The bills have nothing in common. For the House leadership to claim they are linked as "sustainability" issues is a cynical political ploy contrary to public interest.

The solar water heating measure would be the first in the nation and could cut 30 percent to 35 percent from a household's electricity costs. It makes perfect sense for islands with an abundance of sunshine. For House leaders to order its rejection in a final vote today would reek of political manipulation and stymie the important shift toward renewable energy.