Category: News Releases

For Immediate Release: March 24, 2015

HONOLULU — Nonprofit organizations that have had difficulty obtaining loans for solar PV systems can now apply for a loan under the state’s Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) program. The Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, an attached agency of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, announced today that it has begun accepting loan applications from nonprofits, which can use the GEMS program to save money on their electric bills from Day 1 with no money down.

Nonprofits will be able to use GEMS financing to prepay a power purchase agreement (PPA) for a PV system that will fix their electricity costs for 20 years at a significant discount to current utility rates. Due to their tax-exempt status, nonprofits are not able to take advantage of state and federal tax credits used to lower the cost of PV systems. Under a prepaid PPA a third party owns the PV system installed on the nonprofit’s roof, claims the tax credits, and passes benefits along to the nonprofit in the form of lower electric rates.

“It is hoped that the unique financing structure of GEMS will give financial leverage to nonprofit organizations, allow them to reduce energy costs and put their savings toward their missions, as well as assist the state in meeting its clean energy goals,” said Lisa Maruyama, president and CEO of the Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations.

The Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority is working with Clean Power Finance, Panasonic Eco Solutions and Coronal Group LLC to provide the PPAs for the nonprofits. The companies will work with Hawaii installers to originate the solar energy projects. An allocation of $65 million of GEMS loan funds, combined with tax equity capital, will result in more than $100 million in total financing for the nonprofit sector. Nonprofits interested in a GEMS loan may apply directly with Pacific Rim Bank. PRB is a community bank with years of experience in lending to Hawaii’s nonprofit community.

“We are pleased to partner with DBEDT in the GEMS program, helping hospitals, private and charter schools, health clinics, community associations, care homes, affordable housing projects, as well as religious entities to take advantage of energy saving technology,” said Austin Imamura, Pacific Rim Bank CEO. “It is our anticipation that the cost savings derived from the GEMS program will enhance benefits to the communities they serve.”

GEMS employs an innovative financing structure to channel low-cost capital from the bond market to make clean energy more affordable and accessible in Hawaii. Capitalized with $150 million, GEMS initially will focus on investments by nonprofits – and soon residential utility customer — in solar photovoltaic systems and other technologies that support PV interconnection.

“It has become clear that meeting Hawaii’s clean energy goals – which are the most ambitious in the nation – will require significant investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Hawaii’s new GEMS program takes a major step in that direction by bringing an innovative approach to financing clean energy infrastructure that has the potential to serve as a national model,” said Luis Salaveria, DBEDT director.

For more information about GEMS go to https://gems.hawaii.gov/

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The Hawaii State Energy Office is leading the state’s charge toward clean energy independence. With a goal to meet and exceed Hawaii’s 70 percent clean energy targets by 2030, the State Energy Office is committed to developing and deploying high impact solutions that will maximize Hawaii’s renewable energy resources and improve efficiency and transportation standards. Through effective policies and innovative programs, the State Energy Office has positioned Hawaii as a leading proving ground for clean energy innovation, which will generate quality jobs, attract investment opportunities and accelerate economic growth. The State Energy Office is a division of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. For more information, visit www.energy.hawaii.gov.

For more information, contact:

MEDIA CONTACT:

Alan Yonan Jr.
Communications Officer
DBEDT State Energy Office
(808) 587-3860
[email protected]

For Immediate Release: December 17, 2014

HONOLULU — The State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has garnered a top financial industry award for its successful effort to raise $150 million in the bond market to support the new Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) program. The International Financing Review awarded the GEMS transaction its “North American Structured Finance Issue” of the year, calling it an “innovation solution that is now expected to be replicated elsewhere.”

The IFR award is the second industry honor for the GEMS program in three months. The Council of Development and Finance Agencies in October bestowed its Excellence in Energy Finance Award on GEMS, which will provide low-cost capital to finance solar photovoltaic systems and other clean energy improvements for Hawaii consumers who have had difficulty obtaining financing for such projects.

“It is an honor to be recognized for our effort to develop an innovative financing structure that will bring clean energy to underserved groups of consumers so they too can lower their electric bills,” said Gov. David Ige. “GEMS will help Hawaii achieve its ambitious clean energy goals without adding a penny to the state budget. The program is a prime example of how public-private partnerships can be used to achieve long-term, sustainable financing solutions for clean energy,” Ige said.

“This a financing model has potential reach beyond Hawaii. It’s a scalable solution that may be replicated in some form by states and the federal government,” said Richard Lim, interim executive director of the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the entity that administers GEMS. Lim led the effort to create the GEMS program while serving as DBEDT director.

Lim noted that the structure of the bonds resulted in an AAA rating, which allowed DBEDT to obtain a competitive yield when the bonds were sold in November. That in turn lowers the cost of capital for the program, which will result in lower borrowing costs for participants when the program is launched early next year.

Mark Glick, State Energy Office administrator, said the IFR and CDFA awards are a testament to DBEDT’s creative approach in advancing the state’s clean energy agenda.

“Developing high-impact financing solutions like GEMS will go a long way toward helping us achieve our clean energy goals,” Glick said. “By driving down the cost of financing we can really open up the market and save a lot of money for everyone while reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and helping the environment.”

GEMS will expand access to clean energy for historically underserved groups such as nonprofits, renters and homeowners who can’t afford the upfront installation costs. The GEMS program initially will focus on investments in solar photovoltaic systems and other technologies that support PV interconnection, such as energy storage, advanced inverters and monitoring devices. Other proposed clean energy projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis through a process being established by the program.

The U.K.-based International Financing Review is a leading provider of global capital markets information. The Council of Development Finance Agencies is a national association dedicated to the advancement of development finance concerns and interests.

For a list of frequently asked questions about the GEMS program visit: https://energy.hawaii.gov/testbeds-initiatives/gems/gems-faqs.

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The Hawaii State Energy Office is leading the state’s charge toward clean energy independence. With a goal to meet and exceed Hawaii’s 70 percent clean energy targets by 2030, the State Energy Office is committed to developing and deploying high impact solutions that will maximize Hawaii’s renewable energy resources and improve efficiency and transportation standards. Through effective policies and innovative programs, the State Energy Office has positioned Hawaii as a leading proving ground for clean energy innovation, which will generate quality jobs, attract investment opportunities and accelerate economic growth. The State Energy Office is a division of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. For more information, visit: https://energy.hawaii.gov/.

For more information, contact:

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alan Yonan Jr.
Communications Officer
DBEDT State Energy Office
(808) 587-3860
[email protected]

For Immediate Release: October 29, 2014

HONOLULU — The Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Wednesday announced the details of an upcoming offering of approximately $150 million of bonds to support the department’s Green Energy Market Securitization program.

DBEDT intends to use proceeds from the bond sale to fund a loan program that would expand the installation of solar photovoltaic panels and other clean energy devices for Hawaii consumers.

The GEMS program initially will focus on investments in PV systems and other technologies that support PV interconnection, such as energy storage, advanced inverters and monitoring devices. Other proposed clean energy projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis through a process being established by the program.

The state plans to price the $150 million of bonds early the week of Nov. 3. Local investors will be able to place orders during a special retail order period. The bonds will be issued in minimum denominations of $5,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Interest on the bonds is exempt from state taxes, but is included in gross income for federal income tax purposes.

The state has designated the bonds as “green bonds” based on the intended use of the proceeds for the financing of environmentally beneficial projects.

Hawaii is the first state in the nation to use this type of financing structure to help consumers pay for clean energy installations. A Green Infrastructure Fee, which was approved by the PUC, will be used to secure the bonds to ensure they achieve the highest possible credit rating. The fee will be offset by a reduction in the Public Benefits Fee that is currently on electric bills.

A preliminary offering statement describing details of the bond offering is available on the Department of Budget and Finance website: https://investorrelations.hawaii.gov/dbedt/ . The bonds will be offered by an underwriting syndicate led by Goldman, Sachs and Co. First Southwest Company acted as Financial Advisor to the department for this transaction.

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The Hawaii State Energy Office is leading the state’s charge toward clean energy independence. With a goal to meet and exceed Hawaii’s 70 percent clean energy targets by 2030, the State Energy Office is committed to developing and deploying high impact solutions that will maximize Hawaii’s renewable energy resources and improve efficiency and transportation standards. Through effective policies and innovative programs, the State Energy Office has positioned Hawaii as a leading proving ground for clean energy innovation, which will generate quality jobs, attract investment opportunities and accelerate economic growth. The State Energy Office is a division of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. For more information, visit energy.hawaii.gov.

For more information, contact:

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alan Yonan Jr.
Communications Officer
DBEDT State Energy Office
(808) 587-3860
[email protected]

For Immediate Release: October 1, 2014

HONOLULU — The Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism welcomed the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission’s approval of DBEDT’s innovative Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) program, which will provide low-cost capital to finance solar photovoltaic systems and other clean energy improvements for Hawaii consumers who have had difficulty obtaining financing for such projects. GEMS will advance Hawaii’s clean energy goals by expanding access to clean energy for historically underserved groups such as nonprofits, renters and homeowners who can’t afford the upfront installation costs.

The PUC Tuesday approved a program order providing parameters for how the funds will be deployed to help Hawaii consumers. The order follows the PUC’s earlier approval of a GEMS financing order that cleared the way for the state to issue $150 million in bonds to support the program. DBEDT plans to issue the bonds by November and make the first clean energy loans by the end of the year. Hawaii is the first state in the nation to use this type of financing structure to help consumers pay for clean energy installations.

The GEMS program initially will focus on investments in solar photovoltaic systems and other technologies that support PV interconnection, such as energy storage, advanced inverters and monitoring devices.

Other proposed clean energy projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis through a process being established by the program.

“GEMS levels the playing field for ratepayers by broadening the benefits of clean energy to folks who were previously unable to get financing for PV and other improvements,” said Gov. Abercrombie, who proposed the program in his 2013 State of the State Address and signed it into law a year later. “GEMS will provide underserved consumers with clean energy financing that will result in electricity bill savings on day one, with no money down.”

“The GEMS program uses a market-driven approach to reduce costs for financing clean energy installations by minimizing overhead expenses and taking advantage of economies of scale,” said Richard Lim DBEDT director. “GEMS, which is designed to be self-sustaining, will compliment Hawaii’s portfolio of clean energy support programs and help the state reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuel.”

Mark Glick, State Energy Office administrator, noted that while the PV market in Hawaii has expanded rapidly in recent years the benefits of solar energy remain out of reach for many residents. “The GEMS program provides a clear opportunity to fill that market gap,” Glick said. “GEMS funds can be used alone or in combination with private capital to provide financing to these consumers through our deployment partners, such as solar financiers, local financial institutions and national energy lenders.”

PV industry leaders also applauded the PUC’s ruling. “We are very pleased to see the program move forward to make funds available for PV installations and other grid-enabling technology,” said Leslie Cole-Brooks, executive director of the Hawaii Solar Energy Association. “The strength of the program is that it provides financing for those consumers who have traditionally been underserved. Given the backlog of utility customers waiting to hook up their PV systems it’s encouraging to see the development of a resource that could be used to mitigate grid saturation issues.”

A Green Infrastructure Fee, which was previously approved by the PUC, will be used to secure the bonds to ensure they achieve the highest possible credit rating. The fee will be offset by a reduction in the Public Benefits Fee that is currently on electric bills, resulting in little or no impact to the vast majority of ratepayers.

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The Hawaii State Energy Office is leading the state’s charge toward clean energy independence. With a goal to meet and exceed Hawaii’s 70 percent clean energy targets by 2030, the State Energy Office is committed to developing and deploying high impact solutions that will maximize Hawaii’s renewable energy resources and improve efficiency and transportation standards. Through effective policies and innovative programs, the State Energy Office has positioned Hawaii as a leading proving ground for clean energy innovation, which will generate quality jobs, attract investment opportunities and accelerate economic growth. The State Energy Office is a division of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. For more information, visit energy.hawaii.gov.

For more information, contact:

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alan Yonan Jr.
Communications Officer
DBEDT State Energy Office
(808) 587-3860
[email protected]

For Immediate Release: September 15, 2014

HONOLULU — The State of Hawaii and the U.S. Department of Energy have agreed to continued cooperation as Hawaii embarks on the next phase of its clean energy future.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz today signed a Memorandum of Understanding, reaffirming their commitment to the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, a long-term partnership to increase energy efficiencies and maximize the use the use of Hawaii’s abundant renewable energy resources.

“We remain focused on reducing the state’s dependence on imported oil while also creating high-wage jobs and economic opportunities for the people of Hawaii,” Abercrombie said. “Together with the federal government, we are creating a new framework that will take our state to the next level in its clean energy transformation.”

Moniz announced his signing of the MOU during a pre-recorded address to the opening session of the Asia Pacific Resilience Innovation Summit & Expo being held at the Hawaii Convention Center.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates that by setting ambitious clean energy goals, the United States can support local industries while also moving towards a low carbon future,” Moniz said. “These types of collaborative efforts are an important component of the President’s Climate Action Plan, which will help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening the clean energy economy in Hawaii and nationwide,” he said.

“Renewing the commitment to Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative is an important step at this point in our energy transition plan.” said Richard Lim, director of the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. “In light of our success so far*, we want to position Hawaii as a test bed for clean energy solutions.”

The MOU calls for the U.S. DOE to provide technical assistance and other resources to the state. The state’s commitments under the MOU include developing the technical, workforce and academic tools necessary to realize the purpose of the agreement.

Mark Glick, Hawaii State Energy Office Administrator, said updating the MOU will allow policymakers to take a fresh look at parts of the HCEI that need to be strengthened.

“To really push the envelope we’re going to have to take a hard look at reducing petroleum use in the transportation sector, which is two-thirds of Hawaii’s energy mix,” he said. “This includes the use of alternative fuels in ground and marine transportation, including natural gas and hydrogen.”

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The Hawaii State Energy Office is leading the state’s charge toward clean energy independence. With a goal to meet and exceed Hawaii’s 70 percent clean energy targets by 2030, the State Energy Office is committed to developing and deploying high impact solutions that will maximize Hawaii’s renewable energy resources and improve efficiency and transportation standards. Through effective policies and innovative programs, the State Energy Office has positioned Hawaii as a leading proving ground for clean energy innovation, which will generate quality jobs, attract investment opportunities and accelerate economic growth. The State Energy Office is a division of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. For more information, visit www.energy.hawaii.gov.

*Hawaii reached an important milestone last year, generating 18% of its electricity from renewable resources. That puts the state ahead of its interim 2015 target of 15%, and provides a jumpstart on reaching the 2020 goal of 25%. Combined with a 15.7 % reduction in energy use through conservation and efficiency, the state is nearly halfway toward it 2030 goal of 70 percent clean energy.

For more information, contact:

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alan Yonan Jr.
Communications Officer
DBEDT State Energy Office
(808) 587-3860
[email protected]

For Immediate Release: September 5, 2014

HONOLULU — The Public Utilities Commission has approved the State of Hawaii to issue up to $150 million in bonds to provide low-cost capital for a proposed loan program that would expand access to solar photovoltaic systems and other clean energy improvements for Hawaii consumers who have had difficulty obtaining financing for such projects. Approval of the financing order Thursday represents a significant milestone as the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism moves forward with its Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) program.

The bonds are modeled after a well-tested financing structure used for decades by utilities on the Mainland to pay for power plants and other costs associated with storm recovery and stranded assets. The PUC’s order marks the first time nationally that this type of financing model has been approved to provide low-cost financing for the installation of clean energy equipment.

“We’re taking a well-established securitization structure and repurposing it for the benefit of underserved consumers in Hawaii, such as nonprofits, renters and lower-income folks who want to enjoy the savings of clean energy.” said DBEDT Director Richard Lim, who led development of the program. “Issuance of the bonds will provide a market-based mechanism to channel capital to clean energy investments that might not otherwise be undertaken.”

DBEDT plans to issue the bonds by November. The GEMS bonds will share characteristics with a type of security known as a “rate reduction bond.” There have been about $50 billion of these securitization bonds issued across the country since 1997. In all but one case the bonds have achieved “AAA” or equivalent ratings.

The PUC’s approval allows the imposition of a Green Infrastructure Fee, which will be used to secure the bonds. The fee will be assessed on all utility ratepayer bills to ensure the bonds achieve the highest possible credit ratings, and thus lowering the amount of the fee, which is expected to be less than $2 a month for residential customers. The Green Infrastructure Fee will be offset by a reduction in the Public Benefits Fee that is currently on electric bills, resulting in little or no impact to ratepayers.

DBEDT awaits approval of GEMS program order by the PUC. Bond proceeds will be used to finance clean energy technologies to reach a broader base of Hawaii consumers.

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This news release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of, an offer to buy any security. Such an offer can only be made pursuant to an Official Statement of the State of Hawaii and DBEDT. DBEDT anticipates preparing an official statement in connection with the transaction.

The Hawaii State Energy Office is leading the state’s charge toward clean energy independence. With a goal to meet and exceed Hawaii’s 70 percent clean energy targets by 2030, the State Energy Office is committed to developing and deploying high impact solutions that will maximize Hawaii’s renewable energy resources and improve efficiency and transportation standards. Through effective policies and innovative programs, the State Energy Office has positioned Hawaii as a leading proving ground for clean energy innovation, which will generate quality jobs, attract investment opportunities and accelerate economic growth. The State Energy Office is a division of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. For more information, visit www.energy.hawaii.gov.

For more information, contact:

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alan Yonan Jr.
Communications Officer
DBEDT State Energy Office
(808) 587-3860
[email protected]

For Immediate Release: September 2, 2014

HONOLULU — Hawaii was recognized for the third consecutive year by the Energy Services Coalition as the nation’s leader for per capita investment in energy performance contracting (EPC), an innovative financing tool that allows government buildings to achieve significant energy efficiency savings without paying total capital expenses up front.

“Whether it is through our efforts in energy efficiency or our renewable energy projects, Hawaii continues to demonstrate its leadership in clean energy,” said Gov. Neil Abercrombie. “Our clean energy agenda benefits our environment, creates good jobs, grows local businesses and reduces the amount of dollars sent overseas to buy imported oil.”

EPC uses the savings from upgrades such as digital controls for energy systems, and lighting, plumbing and air conditioning improvements to repay the cost of installing the equipment. The costs of the energy upgrades are borne by the performance contractor and paid back out of the energy savings. The Energy Services Coalition in its annual Race to the Top program ranks the 50 states based the amount invested in performance contracts for government buildings. Hawaii led the nation this year with $235.74 invested per capita.

The Aloha State was well ahead of second place Delaware with EPC investment of $154 per capita and third place Ohio at $108.58 per capita. The $320.68 million in EPC contracts awarded in Hawaii since the program’s inception has resulted in the creation of 3,486 “job years” and an energy savings of nearly $900 million over the life of the contracts, according to the Energy Services Coalition.

“Hawaii’s top ranking in Race to the Top recognizes our efforts to mobilize investment in high-impact energy efficiency projects that are helping state achieve its energy efficiency targets,” said Richard Lim, director of the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. “The technical assistance we provide in the area of performance contracting is one of many initiatives developed by DBEDT to accelerate the growth of Hawaii’s clean energy economy.”

The State Energy Office has been providing technical assistance for performance contracting to state agencies and counties since 1996. The EPC projects vary widely and include courthouses, community colleges, hospitals, prisons, and airports.

“We’ve challenged ourselves and our agency partners — as some of Hawaii’s largest energy consumers — to lead by example and push the limits of energy performance contracting,” said Mark Glick, State Energy Office Administrator. “Our drive to take on high-impact EPC projects is fueled by our commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative America and to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Initiative to sharply increase the value of such contracts by the end of this fiscal year. We will hit this target in large part thanks to the leadership of Ford Fuchigami and his team at the Department of Transportation-Airports Division, who are overseeing a $150 million contract to deliver energy savings at the state’s 12 airports.”

For more information on Hawaii’s ESPC projects, visit https://energy.hawaii.gov/energy-performance-contracting. To see the complete Race to the Top list, visit https://www.energyservicescoalition.org/espc/table.

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About the Energy Services Coalition
ESC is a national nonprofit organization, composed of a network of experts from a wide range of organizations, working together at the state and local levels to increase energy efficiency and building upgrades through energy savings performance contracting.

The Hawaii State Energy Office is leading the state’s charge toward clean energy independence. With a goal to meet and exceed Hawaii’s 70 percent clean energy targets by 2030, the State Energy Office is committed to developing and deploying high impact solutions that will maximize Hawaii’s renewable energy resources and improve efficiency and transportation standards. Through effective policies and innovative programs, the State Energy Office has positioned Hawaii as a leading proving ground for clean energy innovation, which will generate quality jobs, attract investment opportunities and accelerate economic growth. The State Energy Office is a division of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. For more information, visit www.energy.hawaii.gov.

For more information, contact:

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alan Yonan Jr.
Communications Officer
DBEDT State Energy Office
(808) 587-3860
[email protected]

For Immediate Release: July 11, 2014

HONOLULU — The state honored 13 businesses and nine events today for their outstanding and innovative clean energy efforts at the 2014 Hawaii Green Business Awards. The awards were presented by Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui and hosted by the Hawaii State Energy Office of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), Department of Health and The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. The annual awards program recognizes achievements by Hawaii businesses and entities in the area of energy efficiency.

“Today’s honorees have proven themselves to be responsible stewards of business and the environment. Together, they showcase a deep commitment to preserve and protect our precious natural resources,” said Lt. Gov. Tsutsui. “From hotel guest room energy conservation systems and sourcing local ingredients to composting, efforts like these will reduce our impact on the environment and reliance on imported fossil fuels.”

The Hawaii Green Business Program (HGBP) assists and recognizes businesses that strive to operate in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. When launched in 2002, the HGBP initially focused on Resorts & Hotels due to the large number of visitors in Hawaii, and the potential for significant resource reduction through conservation. This year, the Wyndham Waikiki will be awarded for the third consecutive time, having tracked energy, water, and recycling rates as well as establishing a Green Committee to support its corporate legacy commitment.

The program, funded in part by the federal Environmental Protection Agency Pacific Southwest Region IX, has expanded over the years and now includes four categories: Resorts & Hotels, Offices & Retail, Restaurant & Food Service Facilities, and Green Events. Next year’s awards will feature two new categories: Grocery Stores and Worship Facilities.

Businesses that have been recognized for their green practices can be viewed in an interactive map on the Hawaii State Energy Office’s Green Business Program website: https://energy.hawaii.gov/green-business-program. The Hawaii State Energy Office also is releasing an app that will also make the interactive map accessible on mobile devices.

The honorees of the 2014 Hawaii Green Business Awards are:
• Aqua BambooWaikiki Hotel
• Aqua Kauai Beach Resort
• Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
• Hawaii Island Retreat
• Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club
• Outrigger Reef on The Beach
• The Equus Hotel
• The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
• Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk
• Blue Hawaii Lifestyles
• Honeywell Smart Grid Solution
• MonkeyPod Kitchen at Ko’olina
• The Limtiaco Consulting Group

The Hawaii Green Business Awards also honored nine green events held in 2014:

• Build and Buy Green Conference at Hawaii Convention Center and University of Hawaii Cancer Center Sullivan Center 2013 & 2014
• TEDx “Disruptive Leadership” & “Cultivating Community”
• Hawaii Innovation Workshop by travel2change
• Hawaii Sustainability in Higher Education Summit
• Green Apple Day of Service – USGBC Hawaii
• Kamehameha Schools’ Sustainability Council Retreat #2-KYA
• KYA Holiday Party 2013
• ILFI Water Petal Event-KYA
• Loco Kine Valentine by Sweetbreads

For a description of the awardees and their energy efficiency accomplishments, please see separate Awardee Accomplishments document.
Awardee Accomplishments (PDF)

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The Hawaii State Energy Office is leading the state’s charge toward clean energy independence. With a goal to meet and exceed Hawaii’s 70 percent clean energy targets by 2030, the State Energy Office is committed to developing and deploying high impact solutions that will maximize Hawaii’s renewable energy resources and improve efficiency and transportation standards. Through effective policies and innovative programs, the State Energy Office has positioned Hawaii as a leading proving ground for clean energy innovation, which will generate quality jobs, attract investment opportunities and accelerate economic growth. The State Energy Office is a division of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. For more information, visit www.energy.hawaii.gov.

For more information, contact:

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alan Yonan Jr.
Communications Officer
DBEDT State Energy Office
(808) 587-3860
[email protected]

For Immediate Release: July 7, 2014

HONOLULU — GreenSun Hawaii, a loan program administered by the Hawaii Community Reinvestment Corporation (HCRC), has reached the $3 million milestone of loans issued. The latest round of funding included the program’s first-ever commercial loan of $167,500 for a non-profit organization.

GreenSun Hawaii was launched in 2011 to increase energy efficiency in Hawaii by providing residential, multi-family projects, nonprofits and businesses with affordable means of financing the installation of energy efficient and renewable energy systems. Annually, the program produces an estimated savings of 663,000 kilowatt hours and a combined savings in the participants’ electric bills in excess of $327,000.

“GreenSun Hawaii illustrates how the government and private sector can work together to bring clean energy to everyday people while creating local jobs and allowing us to advance toward our energy goals,” said Gov. Neil Abercrombie. “We are continually looking for ways to help utility customers bring down electricity bills, and GreenSun Hawaii has been an effective tool in that effort.”

Richard Lim, director of the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), noted that GreenSun Hawaii helps reduce risk for participating financial institutions, thus enabling them to extend loan availability to a larger pool of customers. “GreenSun Hawaii has proven successful in increasing the use of solar energy, decreasing the state’s dependence on imported fuel and lowering overall energy costs throughout the islands,” Lim said.

Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (Recovery Act Funds), the program is a public-private partnership with the ability to leverage $4.38 million in federal funds to support $88 million in energy financing statewide.

“This innovative program allows participating banks and credit unions to extend more favorable terms and lower interest rates than they would otherwise be able to offer,” said Hawaii State Energy Administrator Mark Glick. “It’s initiatives like this that are helping reduce our islands’ dependency on fossil fuels and accelerate our transformation to a clean energy economy.”

GreenSun Hawaii is one of several programs developed by DBEDT to remove barriers to the adoption of renewable energy and conservation measures. The department’s most ambitious initiative to date is the Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) program, which will use a market-based funding mechanism to channel $150 million in private capital into clean energy investments. GEMS provides a sustainable financing structure that will make solar panels and other clean energy improvements available to traditionally underserved markets in Hawaii such as low-and moderate income homeowners, renters and nonprofit organizations.

One of GreenSun Hawaii participants, Central Union Church in Honolulu, expects to save about $63,000 annually in energy costs as a result of energy efficiency retrofits financed through the GreenSun Hawaii program. The church began looking at ways reduce its carbon footprint in 2008, forming the “Central Union Green Team” to promote sustainable practices, said Miguel Asuncion, church administrator.

“We were excited to hear about the GreenSun Hawaii program, which fits in with our approach to living wisely by way of conservation and compassion now and in the future,” Asuncion said. The church’s clean energy upgrades, financed with a loan from HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union and installed by Energy Industries of Hawaii, are expected to cut electricity use by 29 percent and save 193,000 kilowatt hours annually, he said.

For more information about GreenSun Hawaii, including lists of participating lenders and authorized contractors and an online loan application, visit www.greensunhawaii.com.

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The Hawaii State Energy Office is leading the state’s charge toward clean energy independence. With a goal to meet and exceed Hawaii’s 70 percent clean energy targets by 2030, the State Energy Office is committed to developing and deploying high impact solutions that will maximize Hawaii’s renewable energy resources and improve efficiency and transportation standards. Through effective policies and innovative programs, the State Energy Office has positioned Hawaii as a leading proving ground for clean energy innovation, which will generate quality jobs, attract investment opportunities and accelerate economic growth. The State Energy Office is a division of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. For more information, visit www.energy.hawaii.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alan Yonan Jr.
Communications Officer
DBEDT State Energy Office
(808) 587-3860
[email protected]

For Immediate Release: June 20, 2014

HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed five energy-related measures (Acts 106 to 110) that address solar energy device warranties or guarantees, the energy systems development fund, the Public Utilities Commission, modernization of the electric grid and a car-sharing vehicle surcharge tax.

“We spend billions of dollars a year on imported oil,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “Let’s keep our money within the state by investing in clean, renewable energy development that will reduce carbon emissions in the process, helping to mitigate climate change. These bills are critical to Hawaii’s future and demonstrate our commitment to a more sustainable state for our residents.”

Senate Bill 2657 (Relating to Renewable Energy) requires contractors installing solar energy devices to notify private entities that installation may void roofing warranties or guarantees and to obtain written approval and follow written instructions for waterproofing roof penetrations from the roof manufacturer, unless the private entity forgoes the roofing warranty or guarantee. The measure also requires a roofing contractor that waterproofs roof penetrations related to the installation of a solar energy device to honor the roof warranty or guarantee.

Senate Bill 2196 (Relating to Energy) reestablishes the energy systems development special fund that was repealed on June 30, 2013. The measure also extends the allocation of revenues collected from the environmental response, energy and food security tax, also known as the “barrel tax,” to various special funds from 2015 to 2030.

Senate Bill 2948 (Relating to the Public Utilities Commission) transfers the administrative placement of the Commission from the Department of Budget and Finance to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and clarifies its authority to concerning standard administrative practices, including operational expenditures and hiring personnel. The measure also enables the commission chair to appoint, employ and dismiss an executive, fiscal and personnel officer.

House Bill 1943 (Modernization of the Hawaii Electric System) amends the Public Utilities Commission principles regarding the modernization of the electric grid.

Senate Bill 2731 (Relating to a Car-sharing Vehicle Surcharge Tax) establishes a car-sharing vehicle surcharge tax.

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Media Contact:
Justin Fujioka
Press Secretary
(808) 586-0012
[email protected]

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