LIHU‘E — Gas guzzlers and imported vegetables may one day be a thing of the past, according to three energy-related bills awaiting Gov. Linda Lingle’s final approval. Following the recent deferment of Senate Bill 1671, which would have banned the
LIHU‘E — Gas guzzlers and imported vegetables may one day be a thing of the past, according to three energy-related bills awaiting Gov. Linda Lingle’s final approval.
Following the recent deferment of Senate Bill 1671, which would have banned the construction or operation of any new facility using fossil fuel, three additional energy-related bills that were introduced at the beginning of the year have since been approved by the state Legislature.
House Bill 1464 would implement a 40 percent shift toward the use of renewable resources in Hawai‘i, such as solar and geothermal, by 2030.
The legislation says Hawai‘i is the most petroleum-dependent state in the nation and also pays the highest in electricity and gasoline prices.
Mike Yamane, engineering manager for Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, said the local utility company is in support of HB1464, although KIUC’s Strategic Plan sets forth a “more aggressive” renewable portfolio standard of 50 percent renewable generation by 2023.
Coinciding with the proposal of HB1464, House Bill 1271 could help the state become less reliant upon imported oil and food.
The bill says it would “make various amendments, establish various initiatives and appropriate funds to promote economic development for local food and energy businesses, ensuring that Hawai‘i is energy and food self-sufficient and sustainable to the maximum extent feasible.”
Approximately 85 percent of the state’s food and 95 percent of its energy is imported and it is estimated that $8.6 billion was spent last year on importing food and oil, according to the bill.
HB1271 goes on to say that Hawai‘i only has enough supply of fresh produce to last no more than 10 days; and 90 percent of beef, 76 percent of fresh vegetables, 65 percent of fresh fruits and 70 percent of milk are imported.
The same act would also impose a $1.05 tax on each barrel of oil sold in Hawai‘i.
“The oil tax will help to fund highly important projects related to agriculture and energy sustainability,” said Andrea Brower, projects supervisor of Malama Kaua‘i, an organization which prioritizes island sustainability. “The impact on consumers will be minor really, a person could offset the tax increase by simply riding the bus once a month, or just making a little effort to drive less. And the benefits to the general public from the funded initiatives will be significant.”
Yamane said KIUC has been “monitoring” this bill, as “it would have impact to fuel cost used by KIUC which will be borne by its members,” but “the extent of this impact has yet to be determined.”
Senate Bill 1202 is another proposition which could substantially decrease the amount of state fossil fuel use by encouraging alternative modes of transportation.
The bill would “establish the development of non-fossil fuel transportation as a state policy goal” and “require the designation of parking spaces for electric vehicles.”
Of all the energy consumed in the state, about 40 percent is used for transportation purposes, according to the bill.
State Rep. Mina Morita, D-Kapa‘a-Hanalei, a primary sponsor of these bills, said she supports advancing both electricity and transportation policies for the state.
“With all of these bills combined, it’s a huge energy package,” she said.
For more information, visit www.capitol.hawaii.gov.
• Coco Zickos, business and environmental writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com
