MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii has been selected to participate in the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices’ Policy Academy on State Building Efficiency Retrofit Programs for the second straight year.

Hawaii is one of only six states selected by the NGA to participate in this competitive building retrofit program. The Policy Academy will provide targeted technical assistance from NGA Center staff, expert faculty and consultants as well as other assistance to improve energy and resource efficiency in state facilities.

“The NGA Policy Academy will provide Hawaii with additional national assistance in reviewing both legislative and regulatory proposals for advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in our building sector,” said Gov. Linda Lingle. “Participation in the NGA Policy Academy to institute building retrofit programs will help move us closer to the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative goal of 70 percent clean energy by 2030.”

“The Policy Academy will assist Hawaii in innovative funding and financing mechanisms, energy use benchmarking tools, workforce training programs, targeted education and outreach measures,” said State Energy Administrator Theodore Peck. “The NGA Policy Academy, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, will help the state develop larger-scale building programs that will lower energy use and create jobs for our residents.”

The NGA building retrofit program complements the State’s ongoing efforts to reduce Hawaii’s dependence on imported oil, increase energy security, strengthen the local economy, and utilize the state’s renewable resources.

Building retrofit programs may include measures such as air sealing, insulation, upgrading or replacing heating or hot water systems, lighting upgrades, window replacement, appliance replacement with ENERGY STAR products, solar thermal hot water, and energy management system installation.

The state Energy Office and the NGA Policy Academy will seek to partner with many state agencies including The University of Hawai‘i system, the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Airports Division of the Department of Transportation which are currently three of the largest energy consumers among state agencies.

Last October, the State entered into a contract with Noresco, LLC, an energy services company to implement energy efficiency improvements to 10 State office buildings within the State Capitol District, including the State Capitol, that comprise over 1.3 million square feet of building space.

The project is expected to save over 6.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, reducing utility bills by 30 percent, which equals approximately $3.2 million per year in operational savings.

This reduces Hawaii’s dependency on imported fossil fuels and will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent by 9,917 tons each year. These reductions are comparable to eliminating 1,647 cars from the road.

For more information on the NGA Policy Academy visit: www.nga.org/center/eenr

Mirrored solar collectors at a new solar farm by Sopogy called Holaniku at Keahole Point. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Baron Sekiya)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor

Sopogy president Darren Kimura and Gov. Linda Lingle flipped the switch to usher in a new era of solar power technology Thursday morning at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii.

Sopogy – which takes two letters each from the words solar, power and technology – is the world’s first MicroCSP solar thermal plant and is now supplying 500 kilowatts to HELCO’s grid. The Big Island already gets more than 30 percent of its energy from clean renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal projects.

The facility will reduce the need to import more than 2,000 barrels of oil annually and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 6,000 tons over 30 years.

Darren Kimura

Kimura, a Waiakea High School graduate, has been working on the clean energy concept since 2002, after rejecting flat plate solar and photovoltaic methods as inefficient.

Eventually, Kimura and his team settled on the Sopogy prototype, and set about building the 3.8-acre project at NELHA.

He said he is proud that the new technology was developed in Hawaii and built in Hawaii with local contractors.

“It’s obvious why we picked Kona,” he said, waving at the clear blue skies and mid-morning sun. “This is not technology people here in Hawaii have seen before. MicroCSP is an achievement in rugged, modular and cost effective solar thermal technology.”

The 2-megawatt thermal energy plant utilizes 1,000 proprietary MicroCSP solar panels. Through the use of mirrors and optics and an integrated sun tracker, these panels achieve higher efficiencies than conventional solar panels.

The system also uses a unique thermal energy storage buffer that allows energy to be produced during cloudy periods and to shift energy produced from the day to evening periods.

Essentially, the sun’s heat is captured by the mirrors and deflected toward liquid-filled pipes, which produce the steam that turns the turbine.

Equipment at the the new solar farm by Sopogy called Holaniku at Keahole Point. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Baron Sekiya)

Kimura said it is not unlike a traditional power plant.

“What we’re effectively doing is producing energy much the same way but with no fossil fuels,” he said. “Because we’re dealing with steam and heat, we’re able to put that into a storage container and thereby overcome things like clouds or nighttime periods.”

The project cost slightly less than $20 million and is officially named “Holaniku at Keahole Point,” derived from the Hawaiian term for a location that has everything required for self-sufficiency.

HELCO president Jay Ignacio said Sopogy will help the electric company achieve its core mission of providing reliable service at an affordable cost. Additionally, while other alternative energy supplies are tied to oil costs, Sopogy is decoupled from those fluctuations.

“That’s one very big plus for this project,” he said. “Sopogy has a steady output with this technology. From the utility’s perspective, this technology is very attractive.”

While the amount of power Sopogy can deliver in the near future is not huge, Ignacio said the benefits will be long-lasting.

“It’s the principle behind the technology and what we can learn from this that is substantial,” he said. “We need to reduce fossil fuels and do it right. This is reliable, economic and it’s not harmful to the environment.”

The men of Halau Kupaaina perform during the dedication of a new solar farm by Sopogy called Holaniku at Keahole Point. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Baron Sekiya)

During the blessing ceremony, Sen. Mike Gabbard and Rep. Denny Coffman presented Kimura with congratulatory proclamations and Kahu Kahekili – Larry Ursua and Halau Kupaaina performed chants and hulas.

Sopogy and development partner Keahole Solar Power have a goal to bring 30 megawatts of MicroCSP power to the state by 2015, in an effort to boost the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative.

The initiative aims to reduce the state’s imported energy to 30 percent within 20 years. Currently, the state spends $5-$7 billion each year to import foreign oil.

Gov. Linda Lingle

Lingle said the achieving that goal will need commitment from the government, entrepreneurs like Kimura, the utilities and consumers.

She said was especially pleased Sopogy is staying true to its Hawaii roots by using local labor and creating jobs, which means the money stays in the state.

Sopogy now has eight solar thermal energy facilities operating around the world. Sopogy’s MicroCSP technologies are being used in such diverse applications including process heat, solar air conditioning, roof top deployment and now power generation.

Founded in 2002, Sopogy specializes in MicroCSP solar technologies that bring the economics of large solar energy systems to the industrial, commercial and utility sectors in a smaller, robust and more cost effective package. Sopogy’s goal is to create solar solutions that improve the quality of life and simplify the solar power business.

— Find out more:

www.sopogy.com

Gov. Linda Lingle participates in the dedication of a new solar farm by Sopogy called Holaniku at Keahole Point. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

The crowd at the Sopogy solar farm dedication. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Baron Sekiya)

MEDIA RELEASE

Melissa L. Pang Ching, acting state director for USDA Rural Development, has announced the department is taking loan guarantees and grant applications for the Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP, for projects to be awarded in FY 2010.

This year (FY 2009) producers and businesses in Hawaii and the Western Pacific have received more than $132,000 in REAP grants, which can be used for renewable energy systems, and or energy efficiency improvements. Since 2005, Hawaii/Western Pacific has received almost $700,000 in grant funds for 15 solar photovoltaic (pv) projects.

Businesses and producers in rural Hawaii and the Western Pacific looking to create renewable energy, or make energy-saving improvements may be able to finance up to 75 percent of eligible project costs through the program. Stand-alone grants can be awarded up to 25 percent of total eligible costs.

To qualify for financial assistance through REAP, project costs must be greater than $6,000 for energy efficiency projects, and $10,000 for renewable energy projects.

The REAP program is authorized in Section 9007 of the 2008 Farm Bill. REAP offers grants and/or loan guarantees for the purchase and installation of renewable energy generating systems, and for energy efficiency improvements.

Assistance is limited to rural small businesses and agricultural producers, including farmers and ranchers. Non-profits and units of government are not eligible.  Residential use is not allowed.

Projects must be located in a rural area, which is all of Hawaii and the Western Pacific except the Honolulu Census Designated Place (CDP).

REAP grants and guarantees may be used individually or in combination. Together they may finance up to 75 percent of a project’s cost. Grants can finance up to 25 percent of project cost, not to exceed $500,000 for a renewable energy system, and not to exceed $250,000 for an energy efficiency project.  An applicant can even apply for both types of projects, obtaining a maximum grant of up to $750,000.

Energy efficiency improvement projects can be in addition to a renewable system and include things such as retrofitting existing processing operations, replacing lighting/refrigeration/electric motors with more efficient equipment, and even build a more energy efficient facility (when the facility is used for the same purpose, is approximately the same size, and based on the energy audit will provide more energy savings than improving an existing facility).

The program can be used to purchase and install renewable energy systems: solar, bioenergy (biomass, biogass), geothermal, wind, hydropower, ocean (including tidal, wave, current, and thermal), and hydrogen.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents.

As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure.

USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer.

— Find out more:

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html

Timothy W. O’Connell, Rural Energy Coordinator, in Hilo, 933-8313, or via tim.oconnell@hi.usda.gov

Denise Oda, Business Programs Specialist in Hilo, 933-8323 or denise.oda@hi.usda.gov

MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii will receive $48 million to fund a bio-refinery plant in Kapolei and to test and produce green gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from agricultural residue, woody biomass, dedicated energy crops, and algae, U.S. Sens. Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka have announced.

UOP, a Honeywell company working with the Kapolei Integrated Bio-refinery will receive $25 million and Clear Fuels Technology, a Hawaii-based company founded in 1998, will receive $23 million.

The initiatives will create more than 600 jobs on Oahu and the Big Island. The announcement did not include specific information on the Big Island job opportunities.

“More than 90 percent of Hawaii’s energy is the product of imported fossil fuels leaving our residents and visitors at the mercy of fluctuating energy markets abroad,” Inouye said.

“Hawaii has the agricultural land and resources to produce an array of feed stocks for the production of bio-fuels that could replace imported oil” he said. “Not only will this investment improve our renewable energy portfolio, but biomass feed stock cultivation, harvesting, processing and transport will create jobs and diversify Hawaii’s economy.”

Akaka said the federal grants are a significant step toward achieving energy independende.

“Biofuel has the potential to reduce Hawaii’s reliance on imported oil, which pollutes our air and sends our money overseas, with a renewable energy source which we can grow in the islands, creating jobs that cannot be exported,” Akaka said.

The money comes through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

UOP will test a variety of biomass feed stocks at Tesoro’s hydrogen conversion-based fuels refinery in Kapolei during the pilot phase but will utilize only locally grown feed stocks once commercial scale production levels are achieved.

Clear Fuels Technology will use the funds to demonstrate the technology and invest in integrated bio-refinery facilities in Hawaii and on the mainland in 2011.

Clear Fuels Technology partners include the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute and the Hawaiian Electric Company.

The Hawaii projects are two of 19 integrated bio-refinery projects to receive up to $564 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to accelerate the construction and operation of pilot, demonstration, and commercial scale facilities.

The projects – in Hawaii and 14 other states – will validate refining technologies and help lay the foundation for full commercial-scale development of a biomass industry in the United States.

The projects selected today will produce advanced bio-fuels, bio-power, and bio-products using biomass feed stocks at the pilot, demonstration, and full commercial scale.

The projects are part of the ongoing effort to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, spur the creation of the domestic bio-industry and provide new jobs in many rural areas of the country.

MEDIA RELEASE

* Hilo – Monday, November 16 – 5:30-7 p.m. – Office of Aging Conference Room – 1055 Kinoole Street Suite 101

* Kona – Tuesday, November 17 – 5:30-7 p.m. – Department of Liquor Control – Kona Hearings Room 75-5722 Hanama Place, Suite 1107, Kailua

The public is invited to workshops to be held in all counties to review the work plans being considered by the Hawaii Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Task Force to recommend to the legislature at year’s end.

“This task force was formed by statute to develop cost-effective measures for doing Hawaii’s part in reducing greenhouse gasses and their effect on climate change,” said Ted Liu, co-chairman, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Task Force. “We are considering the likely effects of existing laws in addition to the many projects in the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative to meet the objective of the law.

The task force was formed in 2007 by the legislature to mitigate the effects of global warming, which can cause problems such as sea level rise, shoreline erosion, saltwater intrusion into water supply; ocean acidification, reef breakdown; warmer ocean surfaces; crop and forest changes and loss of habitats; more severe storms and weather patterns; and health effects and disease.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions can benefit the environmental and economic well-being of Hawaii and supports the goals of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) by using technology and practical solutions to switch to a clean energy economy.

HCEI seeks to lessen Hawaii’s dependency on imported oil, protect our environment, keep money in the local economy, and position Hawaii as a leader in innovation and utilizing indigenous renewable power.

State law calls for the reduction greenhouse gas emissions in Hawaii, caused mostly by oil and coal-based electricity generation and transportation to the 1990 levels or below by the year 2020.

The draft work plans, their assumptions, and other materials are available for review at: www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/greenhouse

MEDIA RELEASE

In a big step forward for the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, the state has issued a request for proposal (RFP) from companies and other interested organizations to conduct an environmental impact statement (EIS) for an undersea power cable connecting the islands of Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, and Maui.

The undersea cable, which would connect the islands into one electrical grid to allow the integration of renewable wind power generated in Maui County for transmission to Oahu is part of a comprehensive energy agreement signed one year ago between the state and Hawaiian Electric companies to move the state away from its dependence on fossil fuels for electricity and ground transportation.

Partners in the agreement include the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), the Hawaiian Electric companies, the State Consumer Advocate and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The State-Hawaiian Electric energy agreement is a critical component of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI), an unprecedented partnership formed in January 2008 between the state and the U.S. Department of Energy to work toward having 70 percent of Hawaii’s energy come from clean energy sources by 2030.

Remarkable year

HCEI is focused on transforming the regulatory environment to facilitate clean energy development, collaborating with island utility companies to increase renewable energy generation and integrating renewable energy into utility grids.

“It has been a remarkable year and we need to continue to build upon HCEI’s success,” Gov. Linda Lingle. “As the most oil-dependent state in the nation, a clean energy future is no longer simply a desire, it is an absolute necessity. The State-Hawaiian Electric energy agreement represents a bold step toward achieving energy security, and the progress made over the past year demonstrates that Hawaii can serve as a clean energy role model for the rest of the nation.”

Hawaiian Electric Executive Vice President Robbie Alm praised the agreement.

“This one-year mark is a time for us to recommit to these critical clean energy goals. This achievement – and achievements yet to come – depend on an unprecedented unity of purpose and willingness to cooperate among individuals, businesses, institutions and government in Hawaii,” Alm said.  “Whether oil prices go up or down, we must stay focused on making the long-term investments to get to a clean energy future.”

Over the past year, the partnership between the state and Hawaiian Electric has enabled Hawaii to take critical first steps in reforming the regulatory framework governing the existing electricity system.

Several key reforms agreed to in the energy agreement have become active Public Utilities Commission (PUC) dockets, including feed-in tariffs and decoupling.

In September, the PUC issued its decision and order on the feed-in tariff principles, which provides a price guarantee for electricity produced by sun, wind and hydroelectric sources that Hawaiian Electric companies will pay for renewable energy fed into the electricity grid.

The set rate under the feed-in tariff provides an incentive for renewable energy developers to invest in Hawaii by creating certainty and transparency.

In addition, Clean Energy Scenario Planning and Advanced Meter Infrastructure or “Smart-Grid” (planning ahead to enable more distribution of renewable energy on the grid) are among the other PUC proceedings underway.

Progress has been made on more wind-generated renewable energy such as First Wind’s Kaheawa wind farm on Maui that generates 30 megawatts of power on conservation land.

It became the first operating wind farm in the United States to have a habitat conservation plan.

Interisland power cable

As part of the HCEI, Lingle also announced DBEDT is moving forward with the request for proposals process for an EIS for the interisland power cable project.

The EIS will consider the impacts from the installation, operation, maintenance, possible repair, and potential long term development envisioned for the interisland power cable, mitigation strategies, and alternatives.

It is a structured public process enabling the communities and other stakeholders to understand the impact of the undersea cable.

Contract award is expected by the end of the calendar year.

Lingle called the interisland cable an important piece of infrastructure, and added, “we are committed to making sure all environmental, economic, cultural and community issues are fully addressed.”

For more information on the RFP, visit: www4.hawaii.gov/bidapps

MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Linda Lingle has announced the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Department of Accounting and General Services will conduct energy efficiency and renewable projects funded by more than $6 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Energy.

This is part of the economic stimulus American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) passed by Congress earlier this year.

DHHL will utilize $3 million through its Hoomaluo Energy Policy program, which outlines five key objectives to achieving healthy, self-sufficient and thriving communities.

DHHL plans to upgrade the energy efficiency of about 400 homestead homes with solar water heaters and compact fluorescent lamps.

“This will help reduce household electricity bills for our homesteaders by about 30 percent per year, or five barrels of oil per year per household,” said Kaulana Park, DHHL chairman. “In August, DHHL signed a formal energy partnership charter with Hawaiian Electric companies that will benefit native Hawaiian homesteaders and support Hawaii’s clean energy goals through the development of affordable, energy self-sufficient and sustainable communities.”

In addition, $3 million will go to DAGS to install photovoltaics on state buildings as part of its statewide energy savings performance contract.

“We estimate that each 100 kW photovoltaic system will generate about 167,446 kWh of electricity, and a cumulative reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of at least 320,120 pounds in carbon dioxide equivalents per year,” said Comptroller Russ Saito. “This will enhance our already aggressive solar energy commitment and our ongoing work to make state buildings more energy efficient.”

Earlier this month, DAGS awarded a contract for the State Capital District, Energy Savings Performance Contracting project to Noresco, LLC an energy services company.

The project includes energy efficiency improvements to 10 State office buildings within the State Capital District, including the State Capitol, that comprise more than 1.3 million square feet of building space.

The State Capital District project is expected to save more than 6.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, reducing utility bills by 30 percent, which equals approximately $3.2 million per year in operational savings.

The planned energy projects are part of the state’s continuing efforts to make state office buildings and facilities more energy efficient in order to reduce electricity costs and decrease Hawaii’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

“The effort is an important component of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, which aims to have 70 percent of Hawaii’s energy come from clean sources by the year 2030, including 40 percent from renewable energy and 30 percent through energy efficient measures,” said DBEDT Director Theodore E. Liu. “We are engaged in both energy conservation and energy conversion efforts to make our state truly ‘Hawaii Powered’.”

“The Departments of Hawaiian Home Lands, Accounting and General Services and Business, Economic Development and Tourism are continuing to lead by example in the State’s pursuit of increasing energy security and independence for Hawaii,” Lingle said. “These clean energy projects further support our five-point plan to stimulate Hawaii’s economy and create jobs by attracting investments in renewable energy and maximizing federal funding and partnerships for clean energy initiatives.”

Using DBEDT’s latest job multiplier, the total energy and conservation block grant for Hawaii will generate about 124 direct and indirect local construction jobs, and add $5.7 million in direct and indirect income to Hawaii’s economy.

MEDIA RELEASE

Students enrolled in the 2009 Cornell Earth and Environmental Systems (EES) Field Program experienced firsthand how to minimize their carbon footprint during their five months on the island. 

The students used solar water heating and monitored their electric and propane usage. They participated in a food cooperative and shopped at the farmers’ market to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables, and they purchased grass-fed island beef as often as possible.

Bridget Hass helped to survey the vegetation at eight sites near Waikoloa Village as part of her internship with the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization. (Photo courtesy of The Kohala Center)

They volunteered time working in school gardens and they planted more than 300 trees, shrubs, and other native plants in the forests of Kohala and Kona. 

Each student interned with island-based organizations, and in their course of their six-week internships the students developed new display boards for the ReefTeach program and gathered valuable baseline data for use by local organizations that are working to preserve Hawaii’s watersheds, coral reefs, and dryland forests. 

At final count, the students sequestered four times as much carbon as they emitted in the course of their stay on the island. 

These results are even more impressive when you consider visitors to Hawaii Island typically utilize two to three times more water, electricity, and gas than island residents.

“I had not been thinking of our small project in terms of what impact it might have beyond us or after we leave Hawaii, but I am glad that instead of a bunch of big scientists trying to solve the question of carbon neutrality, it is our small group of people living in a house together and using tools that anybody could use—internet, books, car odometer, gas meter, and some paper and pencil—trying to tackle the issue,” said Grace Ha, a Cornell University biology and society student, Class of 2010. 

“Actually planting the trees has made real for me what a Web site could not,” Ha said, “and it has also made me realize how much work needs to be done for our society to truly do something about greenhouse gases and global warming.”

The Cornell students showed it is possible to make their field program carbon neutral, and now they are busy sharing their knowledge with others. 

Nine of the students submitted a paper to the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, this month in Portland, Ore. 

The title is “What Does It Take to Be Carbon-Neutral?” The students will attend the meeting and give a presentation describing their carbon-neutral semester. 

Link to their abstract at gsa.confex.com/gsa/2009AM/finalprogram/abstract_161935.htm.

The Cornell EES program is currently accepting applicants for its 2010 program, which runs from Jan. 23 through May 16. 

Applications and more information are available at the EES Web site, www.geo.cornell.edu/hawaii.

MEDIA RELEASE

The state Department of Accounting and General Services has awarded a $33.9 million contract for the State Capital District, Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) project to Noresco, LLC (NORESCO), an energy services company.   

The project includes energy efficiency improvements to 10 State office buildings within the State Capital District, including the State Capitol, that comprise over 1.3 million square feet of building space.   

The project is expected to save more than 6.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, reducing utility bills by 30 percent, which equals approximately $3.2 million per year in operational savings. 

This reduces Hawaii’s dependency on imported fossil fuels and will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent by 9,917 tons each year. These reductions are comparable to eliminating 1,647 cars from the road.   

This initiative will also provide economic stimulus with the creation of up to 350 local jobs during its 24-month construction period, and 25 to 30 equipment maintenance and servicing jobs over the subsequent 20 years of the guaranteed performance period. 

The partnership with NORESCO is part of the State’s continuing efforts to make State office buildings and facilities more energy efficient in order to reduce electricity costs and decrease Hawaii’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. 

The effort is part of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, which aims to have 70 percent of Hawaii’s energy come from clean sources by the year 2030, including 40 percent from renewable energy and 30 percent through energy efficient measures. 

“The State is continuing to lead by example as we work to decrease Hawaii’s dependence on imported oil and secure a clean energy future,” Gov. Linda Lingle said.  “Improving the energy efficiency of State buildings will allow us to save taxpayer money on the State’s electricity bills, while reinvesting in the infrastructure of our public buildings.” 

The 10 buildings include: the State Capitol, Kalanimoku, Keelikolani, Kekauluohi (State Archives), Kekuanaoa, Keoni Ana (Capitol Center), Kinau Hale, Queen Liliuokalani, No.1 Capitol District (Hemmeter) and Leiopapa-A-Kamehameha (State Office Tower).   

The improvements include energy-efficient lighting system upgrades, new building control systems, desktop computer power management, low-flow plumbing fixtures, high-efficiency motors, variable frequency drives, upgraded air handler units in the Kalanimoku and Ke‘elikolani buildings, new air conditioning chillers in the No. 1 Capitol District building and the State Capitol, garage exhaust fans in the Kalanimoku building and entry doors at the State Capitol and the Leiopapa-A-Kamehameha buildings.  

Also included are maintenance service contracts for air conditioning equipment, building controls, elevators and generators at specified locations. 

Work on the project has begun and will be completed by September 2011. 

“This project will substantially reduce our demand for electricity and will help make up our utility budget deficit,” said Russ Saito, state comptroller. “Energy savings performance contracting provides a comprehensive approach to looking at the whole building and improving operational efficiency with a performance guarantee by NORESCO for 20 years.”

By Leianna Eads
University of Hawaii at Hilo student

If you are using a gas mower, it is equivalent of driving 43 new cars 12,000 miles each, within a year, not including your hybrid. 

Not many Americans are aware of how much damage they cause to delicate ecosystems, and their own bodies, just while mowing their lawn and refilling the equipment. About 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend, using 800 million gallons of gas per year and producing tons of air pollutants and noise.

Just one household using a gas-powered mower emits 87 pounds of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, and 54 pounds of other pollutants into the air every year. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a traditional gas-powered lawn mower produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each being driven 12,000 miles, and much more noise. A gas mower produces 85-90 decibels of noise, which can be heard one-quarter mile away or more. 

The obnoxious loud mowers disturb neighborhoods, immune systems, hearing and increase risk of a heart attack. 

Did you think the environmentally disastrous Exxon Valdez in the Gulf of Alaska spilled a lot of oil in 1989? 

The EPA states 17 million gallons of fuel, mostly gasoline, are spilled each year while simply refilling lawn equipment. The Exxon Valdez spilled 10.8 million gallons of oil, which eventually covered 11,000 square miles of pristine ocean. 

The amount of fuel we spill every year is 7 million gallons more then what was spilled in the Prince William Sound in Alaska. Most of us would never know the spills we ignore contribute daily to our growing groundwater and soil contamination. 

The fuel also evaporates into the air and volatile organic compounds that are released by small engines make smog-forming ozone when exposed to heat and sunlight. 

It wasn’t until 1995 that lawnmower emissions were regulated. Older, more powerful and less efficient two-cycle engines release 25 percent to 30 percent of their unburned gas and oil into the air. Gas mowers emit polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (a probable carcinogen), particulate matter, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. EPA regulations are beginning to reduce these mower emissions.

Owning an electric mower may reduce some exhaust in your backyard but it still contributes to the overall electric industry’s pollution. They do save us from spills and gas refineries and fuel transportation. 

Only old fashioned, human-powered, reel mowers have a 0 carbon footprint. Companies are producing electric reel mowers, which can offer help when the lawn is longer and your time is shorter. 

Using a push mower instead of a power mower helps reduce CO2 in the atmosphere by about 80 pounds a year per household. 

More than 5 million gas powered mowers are still sold in the U.S. every year. The replacement of every 500 gas mowers with non-motorized ones would spare the air 212 pounds of hydrocarbons, 1.7 pounds of nitrogen oxides, 5.6 pounds of irritating particles and 1,724 pounds of carbon dioxide. 

Now you have no reason to keep your gas mower. Get a reel, non-motorized lawn mower and breathe clean air, while you quietly jog, work out and mow your lawn. No ground pollution, air pollution, noise pollution or health risks. Save money on gas and your medical bill, by working out with your new silent mower. 

(‘Student Voices’ is an open forum that allows all Hawaii students a public voice. Hawaii 24/7 welcomes articles and opinions on any subject written by students from public, private and home-school institutions.)

MEDIA RELEASE

Feed-In Tariff To Attract Investments In Hawai’i Clean Energy

Aloha,

Hawai’i has long been one of the most oil-dependent states in the nation. However, through the unprecedented Hawai’i Clean Energy Initiative and its ambitious goal of achieving 70 percent clean energy by the year 2030, our state has rapidly become a global leader in securing a clean energy future.

A recent decision by the Public Utilities Commission is a significant move forward in attracting investments in clean energy projects statewide.

Through a price guarantee, or feed-in tariff, for electricity produced by sun, wind, and hydroelectric sources, Hawaiian Electric Companies will now pay a set rate for renewable energy fed into the grid. This incentive will draw additional investment into Hawai‘i’s renewable energy developments and signify to the rest of the nation and global community that Hawai’i is a model for clean energy initiatives.

As we work to boost our own economic recovery, this important decision lays the ground work for our future successes. By committing to our shared vision for Hawai‘i’s future, we – Hawai‘i’s clean energy advocates, state government leaders, and ultimately you, the consumers – are building not just for today, but for tomorrow.

Mahalo. This is Governor Linda Lingle.

The Governor’s Weekly Radio Address airs at various times throughout the week on radio stations statewide. To listen to this week’s address or to hear past addresses, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov/news/radioadd

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island Carbon, LLC have been advised its custom-built kiln that was in transit from Concordia, Kansas to the West Coast for shipping to Hawaii was damaged when another truck rear-ended the low-boy trailer on which it was traveling.

“Twelve ceramic heating panels were broken,” said company CEO Rick Vidgen. “They have been reordered but have to be custom made, cured and set back in to place in the kiln. We estimate a set back of between eight and 10 weeks with the kiln now arriving at Kawaihae Harbor in November.”

Vidgen says while the damage is covered by insurance, it is nonetheless an unexpected and unfortunate delay.

Big Island Carbon had hoped to begin job training in October and is working with the Department of Hawaiian Homelands to notify nearby residents of future job opportunities.

“Our goal is to become a community-based employer,” Vidgen said. “While the issue of the damaged kiln is a setback, we hope to resume our plans to begin hiring and job training as soon as the kiln arrives sometime in November.”

Big Island Carbon is building a $20 million plant on four acres of land in the Kaie Hana Industrial Park at Kawaihae on the Big Island ’s leeward coast. The land is leased from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

BIC will convert feedstock (macadamia nut shells) produced on island into Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), a valuable product for sale in national and international markets to pharmaceutical, environmental, and other industries. A significant quantity of biofuel, a by-product of the process, will be sold for use on the island or used in the process to produce power.