DBEDT LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE GREENSUN HAWAII PROGRAM FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY FINANCING

For Immediate Release: October 26, 2011

HONOLULU –The State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) and Hawaii Community Reinvestment Corporation (HCRC) today announced the launch of GreenSun Hawaii, an innovative energy financing credit enhancement program made available through a Recovery Act grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

In partnership with approved Hawaii-based solar contractors, the program enables customers to apply for financing for solar water heating and other energy-efficient equipment with up to three participating lenders of their choice through an easy-to-use online application. The improvements will reduce overall energy consumption and ultimately, yield significant cost savings to property owners. GreenSun Hawaii loans will feature longer terms and lower interest rates than loans offered outside of the program. The goal is to provide financing options that will result in lower monthly payments in comparison to the customers’ current utility bills.

“GreenSun is a great example on how we are leveraging federal funds to put money in local people’s pockets,” said Governor Neil Abercrombie. “This $2.69 million investment can grow to millions in loans that will lower the state’s consumption of imported oil and free up consumer dollars through energy savings. It helps our people, it protects our aina, and it contributes to our local economy.”

GreenSun Hawaii is intended to stimulate affordable private lending for energy efficiency and renewable energy installations by covering part of a lender’s risk. It is anticipated that a number of financial institutions will participate in the program and extend financing with competitive terms and rates to a larger pool of customers. Structured as a long-term public-private partnership, the GreenSun Hawaii program is capable of leveraging $2.691 million in federal funds into $98.5 million in clean energy loans over the next 15 years.

“It’s a major step in fulfilling the Governor’s New Day plan to further energy independence,” said DBEDT Director Richard Lim. “The GreenSun Hawaii loans program will increase the ability of participants to qualify and afford the upfront costs of energy efficiency improvements, which will pay for themselves through energy savings for many years to come.

Capitalized with $2.691 million in federal funds, GreenSun Hawaii provides partner financial institutions access to a loan loss reserve which may cover between 10 to 100 percent of defaults on eligible energy efficiency and renewal energy system financing. For every loan that is approved under the GreenSun Hawaii program, HCRC will deposit between four to fourteen percent into a reserve account to be made available to the lender in the event of a default. As loans are repaid, the funds will be reinvested into new clean energy loans.

“Because of state and federal tax rebates, Hawaii has the most solar water heaters and is second in solar electric installations in the country. Now, we can make these and other energy- saving technologies available to more people, especially those who have not been able to afford upfront costs,” said Mark Glick, Administrator of DBEDT’s State Energy Office. “The rebates are available only after spending the money on the equipment, but GreenSun financing take it a step further by allowing more residents and businesses to buy the equipment, save on their electric bills, and help us get to our goal of 70% clean energy by 2030.”

“GreenSun Hawaii aims to afford everyone (residential and non-residential property owners) in Hawaii the opportunity to take advantage of the abundant solar power that exists throughout our islands,” said Gwen Yamamoto Lau, president of HCRC. “With $4 billion annually flowing out of Hawaii to meet our energy needs, it’s important that we find innovative ways to increase our energy efficiency while saving money, both individually and collectively.”

Lenders and contractors who want to participate in the GreenSun Hawaii program are encouraged to contact HCRC. Currently, participating lenders and authorized contractors include:
Lenders:
o Hawaii National Bank
o Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union
o Hawaii USA Federal Credit Union
o IEG Federal Credit Union
o Kauai Community Federal Credit Union
o Maui County Federal Credit Union
o NAVFAC Federal Credit Union
o The Queen’s Federal Credit Union
o Wailuku Federal Credit Union

Contractors
o C & J Solar Solutions, LLC
o EnergyPro Hawaii
o Kumukit / Hawaii Energy Connection
o Maui Pacific Solar, Inc.
o PhotonWorks Engineering, LLP
o Renewable Energy Services, Inc.
o RevoluSun
o Sunetric

Dr. Tawn Keeney, owner of the Honokaa People’s Theater, which is one of the oldest and largest theatres in Hawaii, is one of the first recipients of the GreenSun Hawaii program. “With the financial help from The Queen’s Federal Credit Union and the installation of the solar electric (photovoltaic) equipment by Renewable Energy Services, Inc., GreenSun Hawaii has allowed me to achieve my goal to making the theater more sustainable,” said Dr. Keeney. “With this program, we will be able to reduce our operating expenses while having tangible positive environmental impacts in our community such as avoiding an estimated 720,000 lbs. of CO2 and reducing the use of 11,688 gallons of oil, which can be used over the life of the system. What’s interesting is that this amount is equivalent to planting 1,736 trees.”

For more information about GreenSun Hawaii, including loan application and solar contractor and financial institution listings, please visit: www.greensunhawaii.com.

About Hawaii Community Reinvestment Corporation
Hawaii Community Reinvestment Corporation (HCRC) is a community-based non-profit 501(c)3 organization founded in 1990 to facilitate affordable housing, community development and economic development statewide. Designated as a Community Development Financial Institution, Community Development Entity and Certified Development Company, HCRC provides below market, long-term fixed rate financing for multi-family rental projects and SBA 504 loans to small business owners.

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For more information, contact:

Mark B. Glick
State Energy Administrator
Phone: (808) 587-3812

Lois Hamaguchi
Energy Analyst
Phone: (808) 587-9006

Gwen Yamamoto Lau
President, HCRC
Phone: (808) 532-3113

RISE PROGRAM TRAINS WORKERS FOR ENERGY, CLIMATE CHANGE, SUSTAINABILITY CAREERS

For Immediate Release: October 20, 2011

HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) announced seven new graduates, masters and college students will intern with a wide variety of environmental projects for DBEDT’s State Energy Office, Honolulu Board of Water Supply, and the State Department of Health.

The interns, who were selected for the EPA’s “Rewarding Internships in Sustainable Employment” (RISE) program, will be working to expand the Hawaii Green Business Program, a partnership between DBEDT, Department of Health, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, the City and County Recycling Office and Honolulu Board of Water Supply. RISE is committed to help build the capacity of Hawaii’s workforce to move the State toward a more sustainable future. The Hawaii Green Business Program recognizes hotels/resorts, office/retail, restaurant/food service, and government organizations that have committed to going beyond compliance and reducing their impact on the environment. To date, 52 businesses and organizations in Hawaii have been recognized by this initiative.

The interns will be assisting in increasing the number of businesses and government organizations to implement green measures in the areas of energy, water, and resource conservation and pollution prevention. In addition, the interns will be working on other related projects such as green building projects, landscape irrigation issues, and recycling programs.

“Building a clean energy economy is a State priority, and we must have a work force that is trained and ready for green business jobs,” said Mark Glick, administrator of DBEDT’s State Energy Office. “Our incoming RISE interns have diverse backgrounds and with on-the-job exposure and training. We selected these highly qualified students from a number of applicants and will be working with them to expand their qualifications and expertise to contribute to the State’s goal of 70 percent clean energy within one generation.”

State Dept. of Business, Economic Development and Tourism interns:
• Chris Barzman, a Master’s Candidate in Global Leadership and Sustainable Development at Hawaii Pacific University emphasizing in Sustainable Tourism Systems.
• Chris Gore, a recent Environmental Policy and Science and Business Administration graduate from McDaniel College.
• Jacqueline Lum, a recent Environmental Engineering graduate from University of California at Merced.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply interns:
• Davide Giardini, a recent Environmental Science and Economics graduate from Roger Williams University.
• Kapiolani Street, a current Civil Engineering (Environmental track) and Anthropology student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

State Department of Health interns:
• Tyson Kanzaki, a current Master of Environmental Engineering student from Umwelt-Campus in Birkenfeld, Germany.
• Brian Wilson, a current Master of Global Leadership and Sustainable Development student at Hawaii Pacific University, graduate from New England School of Law.

The Rewarding Internships in Sustainable Employment (RISE) is an internship program developed to provide college students and recent graduates in Hawaii with paid work experiences with different public and private organizations in the State. RISE is committed to help build the capacity of Hawaii’s workforce to move the State toward a more sustainable future. In addition to the seven new interns, there are 13 other RISE interns working at Dept. of Education, Department of Health, Honolulu Clean Cities on a variety of renewable and energy efficiency projects.

RISE is a collaborative effort of a number of organizations, including DBEDT, Department of Education, Department of Health, University of Hawaii, Kupu, Honolulu Clean Cities, and the Environmental Protection Agency. RISE provides job training opportunities, as well as an engaging Sustainability Seminar Series. The seminars are intended to provide sustainability training, project specific trainings and workshops, a speaker series, volunteer opportunities, community outreach events, and field trips in order to engage the interns in different sustainability projects in Hawaii.

“The experiences gained by the interns will provide the cornerstone for the sustainable green workforce in Hawaii,” said Asia Yeary, EPA’s project coordinator. “They will be pioneers leading the way for the many exciting and challenging green industries and jobs, leading to a more sustainable environment and a cleaner environment.”

Additional RISE intern projects will begin throughout the year. For additional information on RISE, contact Marguerite Harden at [email protected] if you are interested in funding, hiring or becoming a RISE intern.

The State of Hawaii’s economic enterprise is to pursue energy independence by building a clean energy economy and reaching 70 percent clean energy by 2030. The DBEDT State Energy Office’s mission is to act as a catalyst for green jobs, efficiency measures, renewable energy resources, transportation initiatives, and investments in Hawaii’s economy. For more information, visit www.energy.hawaii.gov

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For more information, contact:

Mark Glick
Administrator
DBEDT’s State Energy Office
Phone: (808) 587-3812

Lois Hamaguchi
Energy Analyst
DBEDT’s State Energy Office
Phone: (808) 587-9006

MARK GLICK APPOINTED ENERGY ADMINISTRATOR OF DBEDT’S STATE ENERGY OFFICE

For Immediate Release: October 17, 2011

HONOLULU—Mark Glick has been appointed administrator of the State Energy Office of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to manage, develop, oversee and implement statewide energy programs, policies, and initiatives that support the State’s clean energy objectives. Glick was appointed to the post after managing DBEDT’s $9.5 million Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant and advising the Hawaii Economic Development Task Force created by The Food and Energy Security Act.

“Mark’s pioneering work in clean energy policy and project management, environmental stewardship, finance and federal and state grant acquisition will be valuable in building a clean energy economy for Hawaii,” said DBEDT Director Richard Lim. “I’m confident that his commitment and drive will energize our efforts to create green initiatives and jobs for Hawaii.”

Prior to joining DBEDT, Glick headed operations and economic development for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, where he was the architect of changes to increase the productivity of the agency’s 17-year-old low-interest financing program. Glick also led efforts to help Hawaii businesses secure more federal and state contracts with the establishment of the Hawaii Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

Glick was at the forefront of establishing alternative fuel policies and programs as senior advisor to the Texas Land Commissioner from 1987 to 1991, when he played a decisive role in passage of landmark amendments to the Texas Clean Air Act and similar amendments to the federal Clean Air Act. He also owned a small business focused on reducing air pollution in urban areas, and securing contracts and grants for clean fuel and emissions reductions projects from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Gas Research Institute, Southern California Gas Company, Pacific Gas & Electric and the New York City Department of Transportation in Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco and New York City.

The State of Hawaii’s most important economic enterprise is to build a clean energy economy and reach 70 percent clean energy by 2030. The DBEDT State Energy Office’s mission is to act as a catalyst for creating efficiency measures, renewable energy resources, transportation initiatives, and progressive policies that lead to green jobs and investments in Hawaii’s economy. While we are saving energy and dollars through energy efficiency measures, we are also contributing to protecting our environment and moving towards a clean energy future. For more information, visit www.energy.hawaii.gov.

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For more information, contact:

Mark Glick
Administrator
DBEDT’s State Energy Office
Phone: (808) 587-3812

Lois Hamaguchi
Energy Analyst
DBEDT’s State Energy Office
Phone: (808) 587-9006

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