GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL ADVANCING HAWAII’S CLEAN ENERGY GOALS

For Immediate Release: June 27, 2013

HONOLULU — As outlined in the 2013 State of the State address, Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed Senate Bill 1087, which establishes a green infrastructure financing program for Hawaii. The Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) program is an innovative financing model that is designed to make clean energy improvements more affordable and accessible to underserved community members.

“This new measure allows us to bring clean energy improvements within reach for a broader segment of the community,” said Gov. Abercrombie. “More of Hawaii’s residents will be able to take advantage of green devices that will ultimately lower electricity bills and contribute to the state’s clean energy growth.”

Senate Bill 1087 creates the framework for a financing structure that will fund this clean energy financing program. Under GEMS, Hawaii’s underserved markets, including low- and moderate-income homeowners, renters and non-profits will be able to finance the purchase and installation of energy saving devices without the typically high upfront costs. Payment for the devices would be made over time through one’s electricity bill and paid for with the energy savings. The state’s Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) will facilitate the GEMS financing program via the Hawaii State Energy Office.

“GEMS promotes the democratization of clean energy,” explained DBEDT Director Richard Lim, who was the legislation’s architect. “We are taking a proven rate-reduction bond structure and using it in an innovative way to provide low-cost financing to utility customers.”

The next step for GEMS is for DBEDT to file financing order and program order applications for review by the Public Utilities Commission. GEMS is targeted for implementation in 2014.

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For more information, contact:

Noreen Kam, Communications Officer, State Energy Office, (808) 587-3860

Louise Kim McCoy, Director of Communications / Press Secretary, (808) 586-0012

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HAWAII MAKES CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE ENERGY COMMITMENT

For Immediate Release: June 13, 2013

HONOLULU — The State of Hawaii is presenting a bold energy efficiency plan at the Clinton Global Initiative America (CGI America) meeting this week in Chicago. Hosted by President Bill Clinton, the annual event focuses on identifying solutions that promote economic recovery in the United States.

“It is an honor to be invited to participate in the CGI America meeting, especially as our state’s energy achievements continue to gain national and international attention,” said Richard Lim, director of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

The state’s “Commitment to Action” plan to be presented at the CGI America meeting will outline specific and measurable steps to more than double energy efficiency in state and county buildings and further stimulate the clean energy industry. CGI supports the development of Commitment to Action plans for addressing significant global challenges by facilitating dialogue, providing opportunities to identify partners, showcasing the actions taken by commitment-makers and communicating results.

“This is a great opportunity for Hawaii to share our path to energy self-sufficiency and a clean energy economy, while also learning what others are doing to solve their energy issues,” added Hawaii State Energy Administrator Mark Glick, who is currently attending the meeting as part of the CGI America Renewable and Distributed Energy Working Group.

To meet this commitment, the state will implement additional energy savings performance contracting (ESPC) with the private sector. It is anticipated that more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs—from engineers to building operators to equipment installers—will be created. The State Energy Office will provide state and county agencies with technical assistance to review ESPC proposals as well as monitor and verify cost and energy savings.

The state already saves 48.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year through energy efficiencies achieved in contracts with private energy service companies that retrofit or outfit government buildings. These systems are paid for with the energy savings on the state’s energy bills.

About CGI America
The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), an initiative of the Clinton Foundation, convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. Established in June 2011 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative America (CGI America) addresses economic recovery in the United States. CGI America brings together leaders in business, government, and civil society to generate and implement commitments to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, foster innovation, and support workforce development in the United States. Since its first meeting, CGI America participants have made more than 200 commitments valued at $13.4 billion when fully funded and implemented. To learn more, visit cgiamerica.org.

CGI also convenes an Annual Meeting, which brings together global leaders to take action and create positive social change, CGI University (CGI U), which brings together undergraduate and graduate students to address pressing challenges in their community or around the world, and, this year, CGI Latin America, which will bring together Latin American leaders to identify, harness, and strengthen ways to improve the livelihoods of people in Latin America and around the world. For more information, visit clintonglobalinitiative.org and follow us on Twitter @ClintonGlobal and Facebook at facebook.com/clintonglobalinitiative.

About the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI)
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), an initiative of the Clinton Foundation, convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date CGI members have made more than 2,300 commitments, which are already improving the lives of more than 400 million people in over 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $73.5 billion.

CGI also partners with APCO Worldwide to help members connect with media before and during CGI America. APCO Worldwide is a communication, stakeholder engagement and business strategy consultancy with more than 30 offices in major business, government, and media capitals around the world. APCO has made a commitment to provide media support services to CGI members during the meeting.

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For more information, contact:

Ashley L. Kierkiewicz
Hastings & Pleadwell
(808) 443-2455
[email protected]

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