Hawaii has set a goal of producing 70% of its energy needs from clean energy sources by the year 2030, a move that would reduce the island state’s oil consumption by an estimated 70% and make it a model for energy independence and climate change mitigation.
Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Alexander Karsner signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Monday establishing the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI), a long-term partnership designed to transform Hawaii’s energy system to one that relies on energy efficient technologies and the state’s abundant renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and biomass.
"With an abundance of natural resources and environmental treasures, Hawaii is the ideal location to showcase the broad benefits of renewable energy at work on an unprecedented scale," Assistant Secretary Karsner said. "Hawaii’s success will serve as an integrated model and demonstration test bed for the United States and other island communities globally, many of which are just beginning the transition to a clean energy economy."
DOE says it will immediately engage experts in clean energy technology development to help Hawaii to launch several projects with public and private sector partners that target early opportunities and critical needs for Hawaii’s transition to a clean energy economy, including:
- Designing cost-effective approaches for the exclusive use of renewable energy on smaller islands
- Designing systems to improve stability of electric grids operating with variable generating sources, such as wind power plants on the islands of Hawaii and Maui
- Minimizing energy use while maximizing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies at new large military housing developments
- Expanding Hawaii’s capability to use locally grown crops and byproducts for producing fuel and electricity
- Assisting in the development of comprehensive energy regulatory and policy frameworks for promoting clean energy technology use.
Governor Lingle said, "This innovative, unprecedented partnership builds on the progress the state has made to increase energy independence by decreasing Hawai’i’s reliance on imported oil."
The announcement preceded the meeting of delegates from the world’s biggest polluting nations in Honolulu today. The Bush administration is hosting the meeting to continue discussions on an international agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
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