Make Use Of Alternative Energy Sources

According to the Department of Energy, 88% of Hawaii’s energy comes from the use of petroleum, and 5% comes from coal.  We must not overlook alternative energy sources. It is estimated that geothermal energy could provide 200 megawatts statewide, and the use of undersea cables connecting Oahu to Maui would allow 1,100 megawatts of energy from the wind farm.  Using wave energy, it is estimated that in the future, 100 megawatts or more could also be added to our State’s electrical grid.

Encourage State and County Government To Be Energy Smart

Because local government is a significant energy consumer, we must encourage government agencies and organizations to operate energy smart and as best as possible reduce wasteful energy use and acquire equipment that uses less power, rather than more. 

Repeal Unnecessary Regulations Which Increase The Cost Of Energy Production

One of the reasons that energy is expensive to produce is that in recent years numerous laws and regulations have been applied to energy production and use.  In light of today’s demands, many of these laws and administrative regulations should be re-evaluated.  A company on Lanai for example applied for a permit in the 1990s to install windmills to produce renewable energy, and has yet to have their permit approved.  We need to make full use of our energy resources, making all areas accessible for appropriate and safe production.

Because the private sector is best suited to innovate, develop, and discover new forms of energy, we need to create a regulatory and tax system that creates the best possible regime for free enterprise.

Encourage Our Congressional Delegation To Support An Increase In Domestic Energy Production

Hawaii’s energy success is inevitably tied to the energy production of the mainland. While we work to increase our use of newer, cheaper, alternative energy sources, our ships, aircraft, and trucks which are all used to deliver important goods and services still require oil, and will continue to do so until more renewable energy resources are fully developed. At present, the majority of Hawaii’s crude oil is imported from foreign countries, yet at home, the majority of America’s oil deposits have yet to even be utilized because of restrictions on production.  For example, the US Geological Survey indicates that our outer continental shelf has as much as 10 billion extractable barrels of crude. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is estimated to contain as much as 18 billion. Rather than Hawaii importing oil from Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, it makes better sense for us to use domestic oil.

According to the Heritage Foundation, an increase of domestic oil production by one million barrels per day would infuse $105 billion into the economy, reduce the cost of imported petroleum by $123 billion and create 128,000 new jobs.  Two million barrels per day would result in $164 billion into the economy and 270,000 new jobs. According to the Energy Information Administration, each additional million barrels of oil produced would lower world prices by $20 per barrel.  We must encourage our congressional delegation to lift restrictions on domestic oil production to help keep the price of oil low for us here in Hawaii and to boost our national economy.

I will explore these concepts and enabling legislation in the upcoming 2009 Session.  Together, we can reform our State’s energy costs, strengthen the economy, and make a lasting difference for our keiki’s future.