LIHU‘E — Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i is calling on Gov. David Ige to veto a bill that would amend the state’s energy policy.
The main reason is that Senate Bill 2510 “encourages the burning of trees.”
“Under SB2510, CD1, burning trees would be an allowable source of firm energy. But not all renewable energy sources are good for the environment or sustainable,” according to a recent statement from the foundation.
“Besides being more expensive than utility-scale wind and solar, burning wood for energy is disastrous for the climate. It
destroys forests and puts out more carbon dioxide into the air than coal. The period for regrowth and making up that carbon debt can take many decades or more, time which we no longer have the luxury of wasting,” according to Surfrider.
The bill, which was passed by the Legislature last month, is still awaiting for the signature of Ige. It would prevent more than 66.67% of power being generated from other sources, like wind, waves and sun.
Paul Lucas of Solar Engineering and Contracting opposes the bill, and said it could cost many people on Kaua‘i their jobs.
“This bill would virtually kill any new business on Kaua‘i, since we are already over 45% of production from solar,” he wrote.
At least 33.33% of electricity would have to be from “firm” renewable sources” — such as geothermal, hydroelectric and incineration fueled by biomass or garbage — that can produce energy 24 hours every day outside of maintenance or emergency-repair periods.
“Another provision in SB2510 limits any single type of renewable energy to 45% of production per island, except for geothermal,” according to a Star-Advertiser report.
Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i said the bill “relies on an inaccurate understanding of the reliability of renewable energy, and promotes a false concept of ‘firm’ and ‘variable’ renewable energy.
“It sets arbitrary limits on the allowed percentage of any one type of renewable energy, constraints that are too restrictive and may be harmful to both Hawai‘i rate payers, KIUC’s plans to reach 100% renewable, and for Hawai‘i’s energy transition,” according to the foundation statement.
Beth Tokioka, spokeswoman for Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, said the impact of the bill is not clear.
“It may have no immediate effect. The bill calls for a study, after which it appears amendments (if needed) could be recommended,” she wrote in response to questions from TGI.
While Hawaiian Electric says it will make it more difficult to reach the state’s goal to produce 100% of electricity from renewable sources by 2045, Tokioka said KIUC believes “that the current path we’re on, which includes development of the West Kauai Energy Project (pumped-storage hydro), possible additional solar-plus storage projects, and the eventual use of biofuels in our conventional generators, is a viable path toward 100% renewable.”
As it stands, in KIUC’s Renewable Portfolio Standard report to the state Public Utilities Commission included 69.5% renewable generation. That included 44% solar, 14% hydro and 11% biomass. The rest of the mix was diesel and naphtha. One-third of the solar portion came from rooftop systems (residential and commercial).
“KIUC has moved from less than 10% renewable in 2012 to 69.5% renewable in 2022,” Tokioka wrote. “We have essentially reached the KIUC board of directors’ goal of 70% renewable by 2030 a full nine years early, and the state of Hawai‘i’s 70% renewable mandate by 2040 19 years ahead of schedule.”
David Bissell, KIUC president and chief executive officer, testified before the state House Committee on Finance on the bill in April.
“It is vital that utilities seeking to meet the state mandate of 100% renewable by 2045 be offered the greatest flexibility possible in employing technologies that are compatible with the geographic, economic, social and environmental characteristics of the areas they serve,” he wrote.
State Sen. Donovan Cruz, the bill’s lead introducer, said the bill would not force the state PUC to impose requirements, but is a policy and planning document of goals.
Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i said many agencies warned about the “adverse and destructive effect of imposing fixed percentages on the renewable-energy transition of the state.”
“Since we can’t predict what energy sources will be available at the lowest cost and lowest environmental impact for each island, dictating outcomes now is clearly unwise,” a Surfrider statement said.
