Author: Amanda Ho

HAWAII BUILD AND BUY GREEN + BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT + GREEN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE AND EXPO

May 23, 2011

For Immediate Release: May 23, 2011

HONOLULU–Builders, developers, designers, and those interested in green building, redevelopment grants, renewable energy and green jobs can now register for the 2011 Hawaii Build and Buy Green + Brownfields Redevelopment + Green Workforce Development Conference and Expo to be held Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center.

Governor Neil Abercrombie will welcome participants at 8:00 a.m., followed by a keynote presentation, Living Buildings and the Future of Re-building Green, by Jason McLennan, CEO, International Living Building Challenge Institute, a Pacific Northwest-based agency focused on sustainable built environments. McLennan is a leader in the international green design movement, author of three green architecture books, and founder of Ecotone Publishing, the only dedicated green building publisher in the country.

More than 25 presentations will discuss resources such as federal grants for green development; financing and rebates for green improvements; successful local LEED projects and net-zero energy communities; renewable energy developments in Hawaii; and green jobs and training programs. A “Meet-the-Experts” round table session with seven separate in-depth discussions led by 16 subject matter professionals will be held in the afternoon. In addition, more than 50 exhibits will showcase green products throughout the day.

The conference, now in its 11th year, is organized by the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT); Department of Health (DOH); Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR); and the Hawaii Chapter of the U.S. Green Buildings Council, with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and U.S. Department of Energy.

“We have seen a tremendous growth in the energy industry since 2009 with over $1.2 billion dollars projected to be spent on renewable and energy efficiency projects this year,” said Richard Lim, Director, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. “This conference is important as it encourages more economic development opportunities for companies and generates additional green jobs.”

New this year are sessions on the clean up and redevelopment of “brownfields” or contaminated properties, with resources offered by the EPA Brownfield Redevelopment Program.

“In Hawaii our land is a limited, precious resource. We cannot allow the `aina to be contaminated and left abandoned and unusable. This conference brings the resources of three state departments together to clean the land, create green jobs, and promote a sustainable economic future,” said Gary Gill, Deputy Director for Environmental Health. “This combined conference will give developers, property owners, consultants, job seekers, and employers a toolbox of practical options to grow their businesses in new, sustainable directions.”

The conference and expo will also highlight the status of green jobs in Hawaii, with baseline data and long-term projections from the DLIR. An afternoon session will be held on State policies and research and training needed to develop and sustain our State’s green economy. Attendees will network with peers and professionals from related fields and learn the latest advanced information about their specialties.

DLIR Director Dwight Takamine remarks, “The DLIR is committed to leading a sustainable green economy through informed decision-making and a skilled workforce. We intend to engage our local community through active dialogue – not just in our involvement with this green conference, but every day.”

Registration, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments, is $75 for the general public and $60 for students. See the agenda and register at https://uhhconferencecenter.com/green/.

For conference details and registration questions, please contact:

Hawaii Build and Buy Green
Gail Suzuki-Jones, Energy Analyst
State of Hawai‘i, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT)
[email protected] | 808-587-3802

Brownfields Redevelopment
Lynn Bailey, Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) Specialist
State of Hawai‘i, Department of Health, Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office
(HDOH-HEER)
[email protected] | 808-586-4653

Hawaii Green Jobs Initiative
Jeffrey Matsu, Lead Researcher
State of Hawai‘i, Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR)
[email protected] | (808)586-9029

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For more information, contact:

Estrella Seese
Acting Energy Program Administrator
DBEDT’s State Energy Office
Phone: (808) 586-2352

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

SOLAR WATER HEATING REBATES AVAILABLE

April 29, 2011

For Immediate Release: April 29, 2011

HONOLULU – The State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s State Energy Office (DBEDT) will direct additional American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to support the highly successful Hawaii Energy Solar Water Heating Rebate Program.

In less than one month, after using ARRA funds to increase the solar water heating system rebate to stimulate sluggish system sales, Hawaii Energy reports that over 600 households have purchased solar water heating systems, exhausting the federal stimulus money that had been allocated for this enhanced rebate. Due to the ARRA-funded program, Hawaii Energy experienced an unprecedented demand for solar water heating systems and currently 220 customers are waitlisted for the rebate program.

Because of the demand for rebates, DBEDT has authorized Hawaii Energy to redirect remaining ARRA funds to fulfill the waitlisted customer applications for the $1,500 rebate and to provide further applications with a $1,000 rebate for solar water heating systems, as long as ARRA funds are available and on a first-come-first-serve basis. DBEDT anticipates that several hundred additional customers will take advantage of the ARRA-funded $1,000 rebate before the budgeted Hawaii Energy rebate of $750 returns on July 1, 2011. When Hawaii Energy first announced the program on March 21, 2011, they anticipated the rebate program would run through May 31, 2011, or until the federal funding ran out.

“We are very happy that these additional ARRA funds will help Hawaii homeowners and give them the opportunity to get a rebate for a solar water heating system which helps to reduce electricity costs and encourage energy efficiency in their homes” said Estrella Seese, Acting Energy Program Administrator, DBEDT’s State Energy Office.

In addition to these rebates, solar water heating systems are eligible for tax credits of 35 percent from the state and 30 percent from the federal government.

Hawaii residents can still take advantage of the DBEDT ARRA-funded “Hot Water, Cool Rates” (solar interest buy-down) program offered by Hawaii Energy through Participating Lenders, which will continue with the bonus rebate funded through ARRA. Residents who finance their system through this program will receive a bonus instant rebate of $750 in addition to a $1,000 incentive to Participating Lenders to buy-down the interest rate to zero percent or a low rate. A list of Participating Lenders can be found at Hawaii Energy’s website at https://hawaiienergy.com/94/hot-water-cool-rates.

Typical single family households installing solar water heating systems will save between $587 to $849 per year in electricity costs, and the equivalent to 150 gallons of fossil fuel per year. With electric costs going up, the savings with solar water heating systems will continue to rise with the price of oil.

“Solar water heating is a significant contributor to the State’s clean energy efforts,” said Ray Starling, Hawaii Energy Program Manager. “We want to see solar water heaters on every residence in Hawaii and DBEDT’s support with these ARRA funds is bringing us closer to this milestone on our march toward energy independence.”

For more information, visit the program website at www.hawaiienergy.com.

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For more information, contact:

Estrella Seese
Acting Energy Program Administrator
Phone: (808) 586-2352

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

SIX BUSINESSES, STATE SENATE AND EAST-WEST CENTER EARN HAWAII GREEN BUSINESS AWARD

April 20, 2011

For Immediate Release: April 20, 2011

HONOLULU – Six companies, the State Senate, and the East-West Center received this year’s Hawaii Green Business and Green Government Awards on Wednesday, April 20. The awards recognize organizations for their outstanding efforts in greening their business practices. The awards ceremony was part of a “Hawaii Clean Energy Day at the Capitol” public event and coordinated by the State Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism’s Energy Office.

“It just makes sense to save energy, water, and waste,” said Governor Neil Abercrombie, who presented the awards. “Businesses and government offices are among the largest consumers of energy. When the Senate cuts 80 percent of its paper use, office buildings like the Central Pacific Plaza and the East-West Center cut 20 to 40 percent in electricity, and a store like Whole Foods Maui diverts 34 tons of trash from landfills in a month, we’re freeing up money and resources that can be used to improve services and preserve jobs.”

“The State has set a goal to achieve 70 percent clean energy by 2030. We commend the efforts of our awardees who are helping us reach this goal by going beyond compliance to implementing environmental practices and encouraging their employees to reduce, reuse, and recycle,” said Estrella Seese, Acting Energy Program Administrator, State Energy Office.

Businesses and government agencies sign up to participate in the Hawaii Green Business Program by agreeing to monitor and post rates of water and energy use and waste generation; provide  employee incentives or training; inform customers about their green business standards and efforts; and assist at least one other business in learning about the program.

This year’s DBEDT’s Hawaii Green Business and Green Government awardees are:

Central Pacific Plaza. The downtown office building has earned the Energy Star building designation for the last seven years, the longest of any building in Hawaii. Last year, the building saved 1,397,600 kWh, or approximately 25 percent less than their 2003 baseline, and 397,000 gallons of water, over 50 percent off their 2003 baseline. It also uses green cleaning products.

East-West Center. Electricity use dropped 37.5 percent (27,160 kWh) at Lincoln Hall and 22.5 percent (474,600 kWh) at Burns Hall via new CFL lighting, LED exit signs, motion detectors, timers, and less air conditioning use. The Center’s Sustainable EWC Initiative attracts more than 100 student volunteers, representing over 30 countries, who have contributed a combined 2,400 hours to lessening EWC environmental impact. Student-led sustainability activities include hands-on organic farming experience at Ma’o Farms; a monthly discussion group; a weekly film series, and a Sustainable EWC newsletter.

Hawaii State Senate. The Senate’s Paperless Initiative reduced paper use by 80%. A Green Office Working Group implements energy conservation and recycling measures and participates in ongoing conservation initiatives at the State Capitol.

Honeywell Utility Solutions. The company, which assists in the fulfillment of energy efficient rebates offered by Hawaii Energy, uses only recycled paper products and printer toners; implements a workplace recycling program; permits only washable (no plastic) utensils; and subsidizes bus passes to cut employee transportation energy use.

PBR Hawaii and Associates. The landscape architecture company conserves with lower refrigerator temperatures, low-flow faucet aerators, recycling or donation of electronic equipment, and using only recycled paper products made up of 30 to 100% post-consumer waste.

Sustainable Island Products. This Hilo-based supplier of eco-friendly paper goods, office supplies, and cleaning materials buys carbon offset credits for company vehicles; offers free packaging reclamation; and uses 100 percent recycled office paper. It also funded the planting of a Koa tree on the Hamakua Coast to offset its carbon footprint.

WATG Architects. The firm reduced paper use by one third through double-sided printing, uses shredded paper for packing, and saved 80% on plastic and paper products costs through conservation measures. It also uses natural or low emission building materials, carpets, and furniture.

Whole Foods Maui. Part of the first major retail chain to offset 100 percent of its energy use with wind energy credits, the grocery store diverts 58 percent of the 20,000 pounds of trash generated on average per month through efforts like donating spoiled produce and biodegradable waste to Freebird Farm, where it is turned to compost; and donating all HI 5 containers to the Community Work Day Program. Last month, the Maui store diverted 34 tons of trash.

The Hawaii Green Business Awards Program is a partnership between the State Departments of Health, Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the City and County’s Department of Environmental Services Recycling Office and Board of Water Supply, as well as the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce. The program encourages businesses and organizations to share information and support one another in operating in an environmentally sustainable manner. Participants benefit from onsite compliance assistance, green business promotions as well as public recognition for their efforts in building a green business.

Participation is open to all offices, retail establishments and government entities.

For more information visit the program website at: https://www.hawaii.gov/greenbusiness or contact Gail Suzuki-Jones or Jonathan Chin, program coordinators, DBEDT at [email protected] (808) 587-3802 or jonathan.r.chin at (808) 587-2676.

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For more information, contact:

Richard Lim
Director, DBEDT
Phone: (808) 586-2355

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

FIRST IPAD EDUCATION APP FOR CLEAN ENERGY AVAILABLE FREE ONLY THIS EARTH DAY, APRIL 22

April 18, 2011

For Immediate Release: April 18, 2011

HONOLULU– iPad’s first clean educational app, initiated by the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) and Maui-based app developer NSC Partners, will be demonstrated at the Hawaii Clean Energy Day event at the State Capitol on Wednesday, April 20, 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. and will be available to download free from iTunes on Earth Day, Friday, April 22.

“Our Clean Energy Hawaii STEM app is the only one of its kind listed in the Education and Games section of Apple iTunes,” said Leslie Wilkins, program director of MEDB’s Women in Technology division. “One of our goals is to engage students in science, technology, and math and what better way than through the most exciting media available, the iPad. We used the islands as a base to provide energy information and activities because the State has set a goal of 70% clean energy by 2030.”

“These initiatives will help get our young people ready for the clean energy jobs we want to see in Hawaii now and in the future,” said Estrella Seese, State energy administrator. “We’re showcasing the Clean Energy app at our Clean Energy Day exhibit at the Capitol on April 20 and thanking partners like MEDB that are bringing us closer to our 70% clean energy goal.”

Recently designated “New and Noteworthy” by Apple in both the Education and Educational Games categories, the Clean Energy Hawaii STEM app opens with a fully touchable view of all the islands across Hawaii. This allows students to see what types of clean energy — biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, wind — are available on each island. Students can virtually build a clean energy project such as a wind turbine, with or without battery storage, and experiment on what it takes to put renewable energy to practical use.

A detailed description for each energy type is available via an interactive menu. Students can explore and learn about the energy mix and the traditional legends of each island. Touchable icons show all the types of clean energy, their general locations, and detailed information on the energy site.

The Clean Energy Hawaii STEM app complements MEDB’s Island Energy Inquiry (IEI) program, an energy science curriculum aligned with Department of Education STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) standards for grades 5 through 12. More than 100 teachers statewide have attended workshops on the curriculum.

The Island Energy Inquiry program and Clean Energy Hawaii STEM app are sponsored by MEDB’s Women in Technology and funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education.

NSC Partners LLC is a privately held company located in Maui, Hawaii that innovates by developing mobile, web, and database software applications for education, healthcare, business, and sports. Its partners have deep expertise in business, strategy, management, technology, software, litigation, finance, accounting, tax, healthcare, and medicine.

For more details, go to www.womenintech.com. Or contact WIT Program Director Leslie Wilkins, [email protected], 808.875.2337.

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For more information, contact:

Leslie Wilkins, Program Director
Women in Technology
Maui Economic Development Board
T: 808.280.0376
E: [email protected]

Lois Hamaguchi
Energy Analyst
DBEDT Energy Office
T: (808) 587-9006
E: [email protected]

DBEDT EV READY GRANT PROGRAM AWARDS $2.6 MILLION TO ACCELERATE ELECTRIC VEHICLE ADOPTION IN HAWAII

March 18, 2011

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2011

HONOLULU – The Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s State Energy Office announced the awarding of $2.6 million in federal stimulus funds to six organizations that will accelerate Hawaii’s adoption of electric vehicles (EV) and related charging equipment. The grants, provided through DBEDT’s EV Ready Grant Program, aim to contribute to the state’s energy goal of 70 percent clean energy by 2030 by reducing consumption of imported petroleum fuels for ground transportation.

The grants, backed by matching funds, were awarded during the First Hawaiian Bank International Auto Show at the Hawaii Convention Center as follows:

• Better Place, $854,000, for charging stations on all islands and the introduction of EVs to a rental car fleet.
• AeroVironment, $820,000, to also install charging stations on all islands, conduct grid integration analysis, and accelerate EV introduction to dealerships and vehicle fleets.
• GreenCar Hawaii, $200,000, to introduce EVs to car-sharing services within the hospitality industry.
• County of Kauai, $267,000 for charging stations on the Garden Island and EVs for County fleets.
• City & County of Honolulu, $400,000, for charging stations on Oahu, EVs and an online charger permitting system.
• Plug In America, $50,000, for an EV Ready Guidebook for Hawaii, along with education and outreach.

“With the price of oil escalating because of unstable conditions in the Middle East, it’s even more important for all of us to find ways to cut our use of imported fuel,” said Estrella Seese, Acting Program Energy Administrator, State Energy Office. “Charging an electric vehicle costs much less than filling a tank with gasoline. Drivers will be saving on fuel costs, less fuel will be used for the same amount of mileage, and in the near future, electric cars will run on electricity produced from renewable resources such as the sun and wind.”

Data collection as well as public outreach and education about EVs are part of the contracts. These six organizations were selected from 19 applicants to DBEDT’s EV Ready Grant Program, established to speed up market acceptance of EVs, an important strategy in reaching Hawaii’s 70% clean energy goal.

DBEDT’s EV Ready Grant Program complements the EV Ready Rebate Program, which provides up to $4,500 for the purchase of full-speed, commercially available electric vehicles and up to $500 for EV charging equipment, including installation. The Rebate Program started in August 2010 and has a total budget of $1.4 million.

The EV Ready Grant and Rebate Programs are part of the Transportation Energy Diversification Project, which is supported by funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These funds are directed for use in the Hawaii State Energy Program through the U.S. Department of Energy.

For more information, go to https://electricvehicle.hawaii.gov

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For more information, contact:

Richard Lim
Director, DBEDT
Phone: (808) 586-2355

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

STATE PRESENTS HAWAII GREEN BUSINESS HOTEL AWARDS TO RECOGNIZE ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS

March 17, 2011

For Immediate Release: March 17, 2011

HONOLULU – Governor Neil Abercrombie today presented the “Hawaii Green Business Awards” to seven hotels for their outstanding efforts in sustainable and environmentally conscience business practices.

“Protecting Hawai’s precious resources and moving toward a sustainable future is a part of everyone’s kuleana,” said Governor Abercrombie. “Hawaii businesses recognize that a healthy environment is critical to the well-being of our state and our economy. Through proactive and sustainable practices, such as conserving water and electricity, reducing waste and protecting Hawaii’s environment, these businesses are doing their part to ensure that our residents and visitors can continue to enjoy a healthy environment.”

The following hotels, with examples of environmental commitments, were presented with awards today:

Hyatt Regency Waikiki: As an ENERGY STAR labeled hotel, three years in a row and a two time Hawaii Green Business participant, the Hyatt Regency installed an Environmental Management System in 1,229 rooms, 6,000 LED bulbs and fixtures throughout the hotel, they have re-lamped every guest room to CFLs, and have realized a 1,428,325 kWh reduction in electricity use as well as a 4.5 million gallon reduction in water usage. Over the past 5 years, the Hyatt estimates a 20% reduction in their electricity, gas and water usage.

JW Marriott Ihilani at Ko Olina: With Marriott’s “Spirit to Serve” the community, the JW Marriott Ihilani has implemented green measures such as lighting retrofits and provision of recycling bins in common areas, meeting facilities, outdoors and landscaping, maintenance and operations, kitchen area, and has recycled and kept 62 tons out of the landfill.

Kahala Hotel & Resort: As their second time participating in the Hawaii Green Business Program, the resort’s air conditioning systems are on an energy management system, and ceiling fans were installed in all guestrooms that can be used as an alternative for A/C. The property also uses deep water wells to cool their chiller system saving the property 380,000 kWh of electricity and 4.5 million gallons of water annually. The CFL retrofit in guestrooms resulted in an estimated reduction of 180,000 kWh per year. With the installation of high efficiency water aerators and fixtures, the Kahala Hotel has estimated a 40-50% reduction in water usage.

Kilauea Lakeside Estate: Nearly all of this private retreat’s energy (25 kW) is provided by 120 PV panels providing energy for the facility. Most of the lighting is LED, and all of the water heating is provided with solar hot water systems. Also, low-flow toilets and shower heads have also been installed as water conservation methods and 100% of the resulting water usage is addressed with their on-site water catchment system. Steve and Janine Hunt have dedicated 30 years developing this sustainable retreat on Kauai.

Ritz-Carlton Kapalua: Runs a Jacques Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment program which teaches guests about natural tide pools, the rainforest, humpback whales and local ecosystems through interactive activities with trained naturalists. The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua has estimated an 8.6% reduction in electricity and 10.4% reduction in gas, and an 8.9% reduction in water consumption.

Turtle Bay Resort: Located on the North Shore of Oahu, the Turtle Bay’s green initiatives include: use of locally grown and organic produce, lighting retrofits with nearly 70% of the resort’s lighting converted to CFLs resulting in a 12% reduction in electricity usage, and recycling – with an average increase of 1.8 tons of recycled over the last two years. The property has also converted hundreds of gallons of cooking oil into bio-diesel by partnering with Brigham Young University.

Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk: This recently renovated property replaced and retrofitted all fixtures with incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescents and implemented energy saving occupancy sensors in office and public restrooms. From 2008-2010, the resort has reduced kWh consumption by 5.4%, and reduced gas usage by 6.5%. All guestrooms feature low-flow showerheads, low-flow toilets, and sink aerators to decrease water usage. All reusable hotel items such as furniture, dishes, small appliances, carpeting are donated to local charities and schools.

The hotels were recognized based on criteria including: completing a self-audit checklist evaluating their environmental practices ranging from pollution prevention to water and energy conservation; recycling; environmental purchasing; sharing their information with other participants; attending forums and workshops on greening practices; and participating in quarterly meetings. The hotels demonstrated their “green” practices through exemplary energy and water conserving practices, pollution prevention, and solid waste reduction and recycling efforts.

The Hawaii Green Business Program is focused on working with hotels and resorts, due to the visitor industry’s cumulative impact on the environment. The industry’s efforts help to support the state’s clean energy goal of achieving a 70 percent clean energy economy through energy efficiency and conservation as well as renewable energy.

The Green Business Awards Program is a partnership between the State Departments of Health and Business, Economic Development and Tourism and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. The program works in collaboration with county agencies and the Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association to help businesses comply with environmental regulations, as well as to conserve energy, water and other valuable resources.

Participation is open to all hotels, resorts, offices, retail establishments and government entities. For more information visit the program website at: https://www.hawaii.gov/greenbusiness or contact Gail Suzuki-Jones, Energy Analyst at 808-587-3802.

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For more information, contact:

Richard Lim
Interim Director, DBEDT
Phone: (808) 586-2355

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

PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS REGARDING THE HAWAII INTERISLAND RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAM

January 14, 2011

For Immediate Release: January 14, 2011

HONOLULU – The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) will host public meetings on Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Oahu to receive comments on the scope of the Hawaii Interisland Renewable Energy Program (HIREP): Wind Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS reviews possible environmental impacts that may arise from wind energy program development under the HIREP and the range of reasonable options.

“This is an excellent forum for concerned citizens to express their opinions, speak with experts and talk about moving Hawaii towards a brighter energy future,” says Estrella A. Seese, Acting Energy Administrator, State Energy Office.

TIMES, DATES AND LOCATIONS:
• February 1, 2011 – McKinley High School Cafeteria, 1039 South King Street, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• February 2, 2011 – Pomaikai Elementary School Cafeteria, 4650 South Kamehameha Avenue in Kahului, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• February 3, 2011 – Mitchell Pauole Community Center, 90 Ainoa Street, Kaunakakai, Molokai, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• February 5, 2011 – Lāna‘i High & Elementary School Cafeteria, 555 Fraser Avenue, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Both oral and written comments will be considered by DOE and DBEDT. Requests to speak at any of the public scoping meetings should be submitted to Mr. Allen G. Kam, Esq., AICP, HIREP-Wind EIS Manager, on or before January 28, 2011, by any of the following means:

• By e-mail to [email protected]
• By submitting electronic comments on the EIS web page at www.hirepwind.com
• By facsimile (fax) to 808-586-2536, Attention Allen G. Kam.
• By mail to:
Allen G. Kam, Esq., AICP
HIREP EIS Manager
State Energy Office, Renewable Energy Branch
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
P.O. Box 2359
Honolulu, Hawaii 96804

Requests to speak may also be made at the meetings; however, requests received by January 28, 2011, will be given priority in the speaking order. Additional project information can be found at the project website: www.hirep-wind.com.

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For more information, contact:

Richard Lim
Interim Director, DBEDT
Phone: (808) 586-2355

Anthony J. Como
DOE NEPA Document Manager
Phone: (202) 586-5935
[email protected]

Allen G. Kam, Esq., AICP
HIREP-Wind EIS Manager
Phone: (808) 587-9023
[email protected]

ESTRELLA SEESE APPOINTED ACTING HEAD OF STATE ENERGY OFFICE

January 12, 2011

For Immediate Release: January 12, 2011

HONOLULU—Estrella A. Seese has been appointed acting Energy Administrator of the Hawaii State Energy Office of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Seese, who has served as the Energy Office’s manager of Energy Planning & Policy for the past three years, assumes the duties of former Energy Administrator Theodore Peck, who has resigned and moved to the private sector.

“Estrella has the depth and breadth of knowledge about the energy issues and challenges facing Hawaii. I am confident that under her leadership she will be able to work with the outstanding staff at the Energy Office to help the state reach the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative goal of 70 percent clean energy by 2030,” said DBEDT Interim Director Richard Lim. “We need to move our state towards a clean energy future that will significantly reduce our use of imported oil, keep the money we spend on buying fuel in the state, and create new, green jobs for Hawaii’s residents.”

Seese has over 30 years of experience in the energy arena. She has represented the State in energy-policy related proceedings to ensure that regulatory framework and policies that are developed will promote the achievement of the State’s energy goals.

Prior to joining DBEDT, she was director of Pricing at Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. (HECO), responsible for the development, administration, and implementation of the electric rates and tariffs on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Economics from University of Hawaii, Manoa, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She was an East-West Center Degree Scholar and a Ford Foundation Fellow.

This is a civil service position so the standard state recruitment process will be followed to fill the position permanently.

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For more information, contact:

Richard Lim
Interim Director, DBEDT
Phone: (808) 586-2355

Estrella Seese
Acting State Energy Administrator
Phone: (808) 587-3812

STATE ENERGY OFFICE OFFERS ENERGY STAR HELP FOR HOTELS AND HOSPITALITY FACILITIES

December 10, 2010

For Immediate Release: December 10, 2010

HONOLULU–Hotels and other hospitality industry facilities can now become official ENERGY STAR-labeled buildings with the help of a new program offered by the Energy Office of the State Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT). Buildings achieving an ENERGY STAR label are in the top 25 percent nationwide in energy efficiency performance. DBEDT has contracted with The Chong Group, LLC, to provide building owners and facility managers with technical assistance in applying for the ENERGY STAR Building label that has become a selling point for visitors interested in staying in “green”-certified facilities.

“ENERGY STAR building owners have found that by implementing water- and energy-saving improvements, utility costs can be reduced by 10 to 30 percent without sacrificing service, quality, style, or comfort,” said Ted Peck, administrator for the State Energy Office. “We want to help Hawaii’s visitor industry become ENERGY STAR certified. Aside from saving energy and money, this will give us a competitive edge especially with the growing number of eco-conscious travelers.” Hotels in Hawaii have received inquiries from travel advisors who are responding to clients interested in staying at ENERGY STAR-labeled properties.

Property owners and managers interested in applying for the ENERGY STAR Building label can contact The Chong Group by email [email protected], or telephone (808) 791-9855 by the initial deadline of December 31, 2010.

The Chong Group will provide third-party verification required for each application, and submit the verification to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which administers the ENERGY STAR program. For facilities that qualify for the verification phase of the program, a $500 fee is required, with State funding covering the bulk of the cost for benchmarking, verification, and application to EPA.

Applicants most likely to qualify for eligibility for ENERGY STAR include the following characteristics:
1. Facility recently earned the ENERGY STAR award/certification.
2. Air conditioning system has been upgraded in the past seven years.
3. Lighting system has been upgraded in the past seven years.
4. Water heating system has been upgraded in the past five years.
5. Guestrooms have been renovated in the past five years.
6. Lobby has been renovated in the past five years.
7. All energy sources (electricity, gas, diesel, etc.) to the facility are metered.

The ENERGY STAR Building program supports the State’s Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, which sets a 70 percent clean energy goal by the year 2030: 30 percent from energy efficiency and 40 percent from renewable energy. Energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective approaches for a hotel to reduce its energy costs as well as its carbon footprint. Buildings eligible for ENERGY STAR label include hotels, bank branches, supermarkets, residence halls, dormitories, retail buildings, data centers, hospitals, houses of worship, K-12 schools, medical office buildings, office buildings, and warehouse buildings.

For more information on the ENERGY STAR Building program, visit the website at www.energystar.gov.

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For more information, contact:

Richard Lim
Interim Director, DBEDT
Phone: (808) 586-2355

Ted Peck
State Energy Administrator
Phone: (808) 587-3812

STATE STARTS STUDY OF OVERALL IMPACTS FOR INTERISLAND CABLE

December 8, 2010

For Immediate Release: December 8, 2010

HONOLULU–The State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) Energy Office has filed state and federal notices of intent to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) for the Hawaii Interisland Renewable Energy Program (HIREP). The PEIS will examine the program-level impacts of the development of up to 400 megawatts (MW) of wind energy on Maui County, the transmission of the energy to Oahu via an undersea cable, and the integration of that energy into Oahu’s electrical grid.

The PEIS will incorporate a thorough analysis of overall impacts and benefits, but will not grant any development rights or privileges to a specific wind farm project. Instead, it will provide a framework, uniform policies, and a process for comprehensively deciding how project components should be integrated within the framework. A PEIS is often employed on the federal level. It will specify best management practices for the three major HIREP components:

• Transmission of renewable energy via undersea cable to Oahu: The undersea interisland cable will allow the sharing of renewable energy generated in Maui County, particularly Lanai and Molokai where resources such as wind are substantial, with Oahu, where resources are limited and demand for energy is high.
• Generation of up to 400 MW of wind power on Lanai and Molokai: This PEIS will focus on wind, but the HIREP program could be expanded in the future to include other types of renewable technologies.
• Utility infrastructure upgrades on Oahu needed to integrate large amounts of wind energy into the electrical grids.

“We are examining large infrastructure investments with considerable impacts on our communities. The PEIS and the subsequent project-specific EIS will increase the opportunities for public input,” said Ted Peck, administrator of the State Energy Office. “We have to seriously study the best way we can use the renewable resources we have so that we can significantly reduce our use of imported oil.

“Our Neighbor Islands have the richest renewable energy resources. With an interisland cable, we can share these homegrown resources to reach the State’s goal of 70 percent clean energy by 2030.”

In 2008, the State Legislature passed a law to create the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) with the goal of 70 percent clean energy by 2030. This can be achieved with a 30 percent increase in energy efficiency and 40 percent new renewable energy development. Wind energy to be studied in this PEIS has the potential of contributing 14 percent to the HCEI goals.

The public has a three-month opportunity to provide input through the beginning of March. For more information on how to comment, log on to www.hirep-wind.com.

The PEIS is funded by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and has a scheduled completion date of April 2012. It will be conducted by AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM). AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government with approximately 52,000 employees around the world and approximately 200 professionals living and working in Hawaii.

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For more information, contact:

Richard Lim
Interim Director, DBEDT
Phone: (808) 586-2355

Ted Peck
State Energy Administrator
Phone: (808) 587-3812