Category: News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Dec. 4, 2020

HONOLULU — A resort on Hawaii Island that converted its gasoline-powered canal boats to electric propulsion, a Maui resort that increased its photovoltaic rooftop array to 2,138 panels to produce clean power, and another that switched to using municipally treated greywater to irrigate 14 acres of its property grounds are among the recipients of this year’s Hawaii Green Business Program (HGBP) awards. A total of 20 businesses, venues and events were recognized today for undertaking energy efficiency and sustainable business practices that will help their bottom line while advancing Hawaii’s clean energy and sustainability goals.

Gov. David Ige praised the awardees for their commitment to conserving energy and water, reducing waste and protecting Hawaii’s environment. “This group of Hawaii Green Business Program awardees has put in the time and effort to demonstrate their excellent stewardship of the environment and strong commitment to helping Hawaii achieve energy independence,” Ige said. “They have shown that becoming greener and more sustainable not only benefits the environment, it makes good business sense.”

The awardees were recognized during the annual HGBP awards ceremony, which was held virtually for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony was hosted by the Hawai‘i State Energy Office, the Hawaii State Department of Health, and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply. The HGBP, which was created by the Hawaii State Energy Office and the Department of Health in 2002, provides technical assistance to businesses, government agencies and nonprofits seeking to operate in a more environmentally and socially responsible manner.

“Especially with what is happening with COVID, we are acutely aware of how vulnerable Hawaii is to things like volatile fuel and electricity prices, energy supply disruptions, rising sea levels and threats to our fragile ecosystem,” said Hawaii Chief Energy Officer Scott Glenn. “The Hawaii Green Business Program helps address these issues by creating a profitable public private partnership between business, government and a concerned public.”

The honorees of this year’s Hawaii Green Business Program Awards are:

• Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
• The Cliffs at Princeville
• The Equus Hotel
• Hale Koa Hotel
• Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach
• Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
• The Kahala Hotel and Resort
• Marriot Maui Ocean Club
• Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
• The Ritz Carlton Kapalua
• Hawaii Convention Center
• Waialae Country Club
• Hawaii Pacific University, Aloha Tower Marketplace
• Honolulu Board of Water Supply
• Pier 9 by Sam Choy
• Blue Zones Project Worksite Well Being Conference
• Fall Tourism Update – Hilton Waikoloa Village
• Forest Bathing Hawaii
• Kauai Department of Water’s 16^th Annual “Make a Splash” Festival
• Sony Open

The businesses and events honored at this year’s HGBP awards ceremony undertook a wide array of green initiatives that included installing LED lighting and photovoltaic arrays, recycling food scraps, growing their own organic produce, taking steps to reduce water use, and using waste heat from air conditioning systems to heat swimming pools. To view a recording of the ceremony, click here. For more information on the Hawaii Green Business Program, visit greenbusiness.hawaii.gov/

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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.
Public Affairs Officer
Hawaii State Energy Office
(808) 291-3543
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 19, 2020

HONOLULU — Hawaii’s progress toward achieving its goals in energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean transportation and decarbonization is among the updates detailed in the 2020 edition of Hawaii’s Energy Facts and Figures released this week by the Hawaii State Energy Office.

The 43-page report is a compendium of statistics and information about Hawaii’s energy sector intended to support informed-decision making and a better understanding of the energy landscape in Hawaii. The annual publication is aimed at a broad audience, including policymakers, planners, developers, academics, and the general public.

Among the noteworthy details in this edition of Hawaii’s Energy Facts and Figures:

• Hawaii’s dependence on petroleum has been gradually trending downward from 90 percent of energy needs in 2003 to 84 percent in 2018.
• Some 57 percent of Hawaii’s crude oil imports were sourced from Libya in 2019 followed by Russia at 34 percent.
• Energy efficiency measures continue to offer an attractive return on investment. Each dollar spent on efficiency in Hawaii saves 15 times that amount on energy bills compared to a 10-to-1 ratio nationally.
• Solar accounted for 12.7 percent of Hawaii’s electricity production in 2019 compared with 2.5 percent nationally.
• Hawaii State government agencies reduced their electricity use by 17.5 percent between 2005 and 2019.
• Oahu had 205 miles of bike lanes in 2019, the most of any island in the state.
• Hawaii electric vehicle ownership soared to 12,716 vehicles in October 2020 from 161 vehicles in October 2010.

“The Energy Office continually strives to improve the quality and timeliness of the data and information we compile and disseminate,” said Hawaii Chief Energy Officer Scott Glenn. “Hawaii’s Energy Facts and Figures is a valuable tool for anyone  to understand more about trends and data related to Hawaii’s energy sector.”

The report, first published in 2012, draws on a wide variety of sources, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the International Energy Agency, private-sector energy companies and various Hawaii State agencies. For this report, the data presented are prior to the impacts of COVID-19. Data showing the impacts of COVID-19 on an annual basis are expected to become available for some data sets with the 2021 report.

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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]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 4, 2020

The United States today officially withdrew from the Paris climate agreement making it the only nation in the world to abandon the landmark accord. The duration of the United States’ absence from the agreement will depend on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, which is still unclear. If a U.S. administration wanted to reenter the accord it would need to send a notice to the United Nations and after a period of 30 days, the U.S. would be readmitted.

Following is a statement from Scott Glenn, chief energy officer for the State of Hawaii:

“With today’s withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement, the need for state and local governments to strengthen their efforts to counter the devastating effects of the climate crisis has never been greater. Hawaii pledges to work on a bipartisan basis with its partners in the 25-state U.S. Climate Alliance to accelerate our ambition and pace of climate leadership. Following science-based climate policies, Climate Alliance states have collectively outpaced the rest of the country in both emissions reductions and economic output. We have shown that building resilient communities and growing a clean energy economy can be achieved. Even as we await the outcome of the U.S. presidential election and the US’ future role in the climate crisis, Hawaii will continue its leadership.”

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

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]

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 15, 2020

“While the Hawaii State Energy Office is a staunch supporter of energy efficiency as a means of achieving Hawai‘i’s clean energy goals, the language in HB1846 unfortunately could be challenged in court, potentially costing the state further time and money and detracting from achieving our clean energy goals. Vetoing this bill does not preclude the State leading by example or saving taxpayer dollars. The Energy Office will continue working with agencies to identify opportunities to implement energy efficiency measures that can help advance our clean energy goals and realize immediate savings for the state budget.”

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 4, 2020

Chief Energy Officer Scott Glenn issued the following statement following Hawaiian Electric’s announcement that its fleet of about 925 vehicles will be plug-in electric by 2035.

“We commend Hawaiian Electric for leading by example as it moves to convert its fleet to all plug-in electric vehicles. Hawaii has a very bold energy agenda – to achieve 100 percent clean energy by the year 2045. It will take private sector leadership to decarbonize our economy, and we are pleased to have Hawaiian Electric as a partner in this effort.”

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 2020

HONOLULU — The Hawaii State Energy Office was awarded a $425,070 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) to pursue several strategic projects that advance Hawaii’s clean economy goals and support the state’s economic recovery, including job training for energy sector workers and an upgrade of web-based tools to assist in the permitting and appropriate siting of renewable energy projects.

Other HSEO initiatives that will be supported by the grant include programs addressing energy assurance — which is essential to keep Hawai‘i’s economy moving forward — energy education and community outreach, as well as analyses of carbon policy in Hawaii and the potential conversion of the state fleet to alternative fuel vehicles. The funds were awarded under the USDOE State Energy Program (SEP) Formula Grants for Program Year 2020. When combined with existing USDOE awards, funding for these projects totals $1.13 million.

“This federal funding for our clean energy and decarbonization programs comes at a critical time when state revenue growth is under pressure from the impact of COVID-19,” said Scott Glenn, chief energy officer for the State of Hawaii. “This grant provides key support that will help the Energy Office implement a range of initiatives over the short-, medium-, and long-term that will generate economic activity in Hawaii and help get people back to work,” Glenn said.

The USDOE awards SEP Formula Grants to states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia annually based on a formula that takes into account local factors such as population size and energy consumption. “We commend Hawaii for its strategic use of SEP funds, including leveraging with outside stakeholders to maximize program impacts and pursuing a comprehensive set of programs tailored to community goals,” said Kelsie Bell, the SEP program officer working with HSEO to implement projects.

The HSEO will use the funding to:

• To collaboratively identify, develop and coordinate workforce training and apprenticeship opportunities to support energy efficiency, renewable energy deployment, energy resilience and clean transportation employment in Hawaii. Building a skilled Hawaii-based clean energy workforce will help diversify the local economy and provide opportunities for local workers.
• Upgrade HSEO’s online renewable energy project siting tools such as Renewable EnerGIS and the Renewable Energy Permitting Wizard to improve facilitation of appropriate siting of renewable energy projects that will bring the benefits of clean energy to a broader group of Hawaii residents and businesses.
• Undertake an expanded mission-driven clean energy education, community outreach and stakeholder engagement program to more effectively and consistently communicate Hawaii’s collective energy vision. Expanded outreach and input from stakeholders and the community at-large will improve energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation project development outcomes that contribute to the quality of life for everyone in Hawaii. The effort also includes website upgrades and support for clean energy public school education and professional development opportunities.
• Conduct workshops supporting discussion-based exercises to increase energy assurance capabilities and resilience for Hawaii. Project goals include developing an energy security, resiliency, and emergency preparedness exercise strategy and work plan to strengthen energy system resiliency in response to a natural disaster, such as a hurricane.
• Launch a pilot project using HSEO’s “engage” model for holistic planning and analysis of energy and carbon policy in Hawaii. The pilot will be used to demonstrate the versatility and applicability of the model to address pressing energy policy needs. It also will also serve as an education and training opportunity for stakeholders including the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission and Division of Consumer Advocacy who can leverage engage to conduct their own energy sector analysis. Better planning can increase energy system efficiency and lower costs for both utilities and customers.
• Develop a centralized “telematics” program for State of Hawaii fleet vehicles to collect data and perform analysis for the development of a fleet transition plan to renewable or carbon neutral fueled vehicles. HSEO will work with a contractor to install devices in 100 fleet vehicles and develop a centralized program to track vehicle miles traveled, fuel consumption and expenditures to help determine which vehicle are best suited for conversion to renewable or carbon neutral vehicles. Using the State of Hawaii fleet to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of alternative fuel vehicles could inspire greater consumer demand for the vehicles.
• Participate in a contract with other agencies to procure an electric vehicle and charging equipment for the HSEO. The electric vehicle will be a shared mode of transportation used daily to transport employees and equipment to various destinations in order to perform official business. The goal of the project is to demonstrate a cost-effective means to transition fleet vehicles to electric vehicles.

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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]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2020

HONOLULU — Hawaii joined a group of 15 states and the District of Columbia to announce a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU), pledging to expand the market for electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including large pickup trucks and vans, delivery trucks, box trucks, school and transit buses, and long-haul delivery trucks (big-rigs). The goal is to ensure that 100 percent of all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales be zero emission vehicles by 2050 with an interim target of 30 percent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2030.

States signing the MOU are California, Connecticut, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

By promoting and investing in electric trucks and buses and the charging and fueling infrastructure needed to serve these vehicles, the signatory jurisdictions will support job creation, and help to build a resilient and clean economy.

“We welcome the opportunity to join this multi-state coalition to accelerate electrification of medium-and heavy-duty vehicles. The electrification of transportation is critical to achieving Hawaii’s zero emission clean economy goal and to reach the state’s 100 percent renewable energy target for electricity,” said Hawaii Gov. David Ige.

The Hawai‘i State Energy Office, which is charged with leading the state’s clean transportation efforts, represented Hawaii in the drafting of the MOU.

“Reducing petroleum use in the transportation sector is a top priority since transportation accounts for nearly two-thirds of fossil fuel use in Hawaii,” said Officer Scott Glenn, chief energy officer for the State of Hawaii. “The Energy Office is guiding the adoption of clean transportation across Hawaii, including the deployment of zero emissions vehicles and associated charging infrastructure that directly contribute to reduced petroleum consumption and emissions in the transportation sector,” Glenn said.

The MOU will go a long way toward slashing harmful diesel emissions and cutting carbon pollution. The transportation sector is the nation’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to unhealthy levels of smog in many of the signatory states. Accelerating the electrification of trucks and buses is an essential step to achieve the deep economy-wide emission reductions needed to avoid the worst consequences of climate change and protect the health of millions of Americans. While trucks and buses only account for 4 percent of vehicles on the road, they are responsible for nearly 25 percent of total transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, emissions from trucks are the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases, and the number of truck miles traveled on the nation’s roads is forecast to continue to grow significantly in the coming decades.

Truck and bus electrification also promise to deliver widespread health benefits, particularly in communities with heavy truck traffic that are burdened with higher levels of air pollution. Medium- and heavy-duty trucks are a major source of harmful smog-forming pollution, particulate matter, and air toxics. These emissions disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color often located near major trucking corridors, ports, and distribution hubs.

The MOU comes at an important transition point for the industry as investment in zero emission vehicle technology for the medium- and heavy-duty sector continues to ramp up. Today, at least 70 electric truck and bus models are on the market, and manufacturers are expected to make many more new models commercially available over the next decade. Apart from the public health benefits and avoided health care costs zero emission trucks and buses provide, by 2030, the total cost of ownership for many common commercial vehicles is projected to reach parity with conventionally fueled vehicles.

To provide a framework and help coordinate state efforts to meet these goals, the signatory jurisdictions will work through the existing multi-state ZEV Task Force facilitated by the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) to develop and implement a ZEV action plan for trucks and buses.

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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 CONTACTS:

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

Paul J. Miller
Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management
617-259-2016
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2020

HONOLULU — The Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) launched a web page today to provide information, as it becomes publicly available, on the 13 solar-plus-storage and  three standalone storage projects announced by the Hawaiian Electric Companies as part of the largest renewable energy procurement ever undertaken in Hawaii.

The development of the web page is part of the HSEO’s ongoing effort to keep Hawaii’s communities better informed about renewable energy projects from the early stages of their development. The 16 projects planned for Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island would have a combined 460 megawatts of generating capacity and nearly 3 gigawatt-hours of energy storage. The projects, announced by Hawaiian Electric May 11 following the conclusion of a competitive bidding process, would  increase the utility’s total solar generating capacity by more than 50 percent when completed.

While Hawaiian Electric announced the number of projects and the amount of generating capacity planned for each island, it has yet to disclose other details for most of the projects such as the names of developers or specific sites. Those details, and other information about the projects, will be added to the HSEO web page as they are publicly announced.

In creating the web page, HSEO is fulfilling its statutory duty under HRS 196-71(b)(3), which states that the Energy Office shall: “Provide renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy resiliency, and clean transportation project deployment facilitation to assist private sector project completion when aligned with state energy goals.”

The 16 projects are the result of the second phase of the renewable energy procurement conducted by Hawaiian Electric under the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Docket No. 2017-0352.  After Hawaiian Electric completes negotiations on power purchase agreements with the individual project developers, Hawaiian Electric will file the individual contracts with the PUC for approval. Negotiation on the Phase 1 contracts in 2018 took several months.

The web page features a table intended to provide a convenient, one-stop-shop for basic project information  as it becomes publicly available. Published sources will be cited and links provided whenever possible.

The projects listed in the table also will eventually be added to the Hawaii State Energy Office’s Renewable Energy Projects Directory, a searchable database of all large-scale renewable energy projects in all phases of development. Information published by HSEO for all projects comes from public sources of information only.

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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]