by Brad Parsons on 17 July 2008 in alohaanalytics.blogspot.com
In reading the Hawaii Island Energy Sustainability Plan that is cited below by the County as an example, the first thing that becomes apparent is that the Big Island plan is very conservative and delays much of the investment and changes to renewable energy to the years 2020 to 2030. Furthermore, this Big Island report is
only a plan, Kauai should take it a step further and focus on implementation over the next 5 to 10 years, not 10 to 20 years from now. I will make further detailed comments on the Big Island plan later.
One recent example of a County 'plan' is the Kaua`i Economic Development Plan 2005-2015 (PDF) also prepared by the Kauai Office of Economic Development. Much of that 'plan' has not been implemented thusfar in its first 3 years.
Kauai has plenty of 'plans' to draw from. The need is for steady and consistent implementation by the public and private sector of solutions to the energy problems that the island faces in the short, intermediate, and long-term.
From: http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/06/06/news/news02.txt
'Councilmembers JoAnn Yukimura and Jay Furfaro recently introduced a resolution requesting Mayor Bryan Baptiste prepare, through the Office of Economic Development, an energy sustainability plan for the county of Kaua‘i.
According to the resolution, the plan will identify opportunities and threats, incentives and disincentives of energy efficiency and conservation, including education programs for the community. The plan will also focus on the development of renewable and alternative power and fuel resources within the county and the community..
.
A potential model for Kaua‘i’s energy sustainability plan is the one on the Big Island. Yukimura said the plan for the Big Island, which was presented last October, would give a good idea of what a plan could be like for Kaua‘i...
According to the resolution, the Office of Economic Development shall work with stakeholders, including Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Kaua‘i Economic Development Board, Apollo Kaua‘i, Malama Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i Community College, Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce and other community, business and government representatives.'
From Ken Stokes: http://kauaian.net/SusHI/?p=1187
'Never mind that this resolution is just now popping up. Nor is it clear what might be done with the $200,000 the Council has set aside for these planning purposes. Let’s hope that’s not intended for some outside consultants. (Note that the Hawaii Island plan, on which this is modeled, required less than $100,000, in part because much of the work was done by Yale grad students.)
Still, it’s vitally important that our island’s energy unsustainability gets addressed…like yesterday. Both Yukimura and co-sponsor Jay Furfaro are calling for a “template” that might be ready as early as August.
Fact is, we already have the data on Kauai’s energy consumption patterns, and KIUC recently completed an energy efficiency (PDF) study and a renewable energy study which carefully document how much energy could be saved and generated by these initiatives...'
From The Kohala Center that created the Hawaii Island Energy Sustainability Plan:
http://learning.kohalacenter.org/news/default.asp?id=785
Hawaii County Baseline Energy Analysis (PDF)
Executive Summary Hawaii Energy Sustainability Plan (PDF)
Hawaii Island Energy Sustainability Plan (PDF) |