HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE HIRING FOR EQUITY PROGRAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 12, 2020

HONOLULU — The Hawaii State Energy Office is seeking candidates to fill three new full-time AmeriCorps VISTA positions it created to help the office build its capacity to serve vulnerable and underrepresented communities. “A successful path to 100 percent clean, renewable energy and a carbon free economy requires green economic development innovation that creates and retains living wage jobs while enhancing environmental and social justice,” said Hawaii’s chief energy officer Scott Glenn.

To support this effort, the Energy Office is launching a new mission-driven VISTA program in partnership with the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to create job opportunities while building capacity to reach everyone that must be included to achieve 100 percent clean energy. “The VISTA program members will play a key role in helping HSEO build equity into its policies and programs to ensure project outcomes contribute to the quality of life for everyone in Hawaii” said Glenn.

“The Energy Office is looking for applicants with a passion for social justice and economic equity who are concerned about our climate crisis and want to be a part of the solution,” said deputy energy officer Kirsten Baumgart Turner. “This is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience and take part in the Energy Office’s mission to help build a resilient, clean energy, decarbonized economy in Hawaii.”

The three Energy Office VISTA openings are for:

  • A community engagement and communications specialist to help develop targeted outreach initiatives to better inform, educate and engage the public in energy project decision-making and increase access to energy conservation and clean energy resources with a particular focus on the needs of vulnerable and under-represented communities.
  • An energy affordability specialist to focus on lifting vulnerable and underserved communities out of poverty by lowering their energy costs, decreasing the potential negative impacts and improving the benefits of clean energy projects, and providing higher wage, long-term employment opportunities.
  • A transportation affordability specialist to help develop strategies to work with vulnerable, under-represented and ALICE community partners to develop cost-saving clean transportation projects and increase access to affordable, clean transportation options.

The VISTA members will join the Energy Office for a period of at least one year. Applications will be accepted through Oct. 28. For more information or to apply, go to https://climate.hawaii.gov/hi-vista/.

The three Energy Office AmeriCorps VISTA members will join the state’s six member VISTA Climate Ready Hawaii cohort coordinated by the Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission and includes the state’s Department of Health, and Office of Planning. The Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission’s Climate Ready Hawai`i project is the first coordinated state effort to identify and assess the impacts of climate change and related policies on vulnerable communities.

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About the Hawaii State Energy Office
The Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) is an attached agency of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The HSEO’s mission is to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation to help achieve a resilient, clean energy, decarbonized economy. Toward this end, the HSEO is developing policies and programs to achieve our energy and climate change goals while identifying strategies that create jobs, lower costs, and improve quality of life in Hawaii. For more information, visit energy.hawaii.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alan Yonan Jr.
Communications Officer
Hawaii State Energy Office
(808) 291-3543
[email protected]

VIRTUAL EVENT SET THURSDAY TO MARK HYDROGEN & FUEL CELL DAY IN HAWAI‘I

Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
Hawai’i Technology Development Corporation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 6, 2020

HONOLULU –Hawai‘i joins the nation in celebrating the sixth annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, which marks the growth of the industry by raising awareness of the benefits fuel cells and hydrogen technologies provide in generating reliable and resilient power, while increasing energy, environmental, and economic security. National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is observed annually on October 8, in recognition of the atomic weight of hydrogen – 1.008. Efficient, clean, and quiet, fuel cells generate electricity through a chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, without combustion.

Gov. David Ige issued a proclamation declaring October 8 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day in Hawai‘i. The proclamation reflects nationwide efforts to promote National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day and highlights the growth of hydrogen and its ability to combat carbon emissions as a driving factors. The full proclamation can be found here.

The Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies (HCATT) and Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO), in partnership with the Blue Planet Foundation and Indo-Pacific Command, are hosting a virtual event to mark the occasion. The event showcases Hawai‘i-based hydrogen projects and includes a panel discussion with representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, the HSEO, Hawai‘i Gas and the Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute. The event is open and complimentary to the public. For more information and to register, go to: https://bit.ly/hydrogenday

“Being on an island, we all know how important it is to combat climate change and do what we can to eliminate the use of fossil fuels. We need to accelerate our commitment to decarbonization and hydrogen is a big part of Hawai‘i’s sustainable future,” said HCATT Acting Director David Molinaro.

“It’s an honor to be celebrating the first Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day in Hawai‘i. We recognize that hydrogen and fuel cell play an important role in a secure, clean, and resilient energy future,” Molinaro added.

For more information, visit HTDC’s website at https://www.htdc.org/. Contact [email protected] for additional assistance. For more information on National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, please visit www.hydrogenandfuelcellday.org.

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About HTDC (Hawai’i Technology Development Corporation)
HTDC is a state agency, attached to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT). HTDC’s mission is to facilitate the development and growth of Hawai‘i’s high technology industry by developing a flourishing technology industry that produces quality, high-paying jobs for Hawai‘i residents. HTDC is providing capital, building infrastructure and developing talent to foster innovation and diversify Hawai‘i’s economy. www.htdc.org

About HCATT (Hawai’i Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies)
HCATT is a program administered through the HTDC. HCATT is committed to inspiring and transforming Hawai‘i’s clean energy future through hydrogen research, demonstration and education. Through a partnership with the Air Force and the State of Hawai‘i, HCATT helps to advance hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in military and commercial applications.

Media Contact:
Shuk Han Chan
Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies
(808) 587-1400
[email protected]
www.htdc.org

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