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' , Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Climate Adaptation Actions to ., ' : Build Local Resilience to Climate Change *,i►�r►�� emissions from energy efficiency.32 Increased infrastructure will augment energy demand and the resulting carbon footprint. On the state level, Hawaii homes use 40 percent less electricity on average than the national average.33 However, the State of Hawaii has the highest energy cost of any state in the United States, at 42.37 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), compared to the national average of 12.52 cents.34 These high prices partially stem from the state's dependence on energy importation. Foreign oil generates 60 percent of the state's energy, and Hawaii uses 12 times more energy than is produced in-state. Pricing structures are dependent on the cost of foreign oil, even for renewable energy generation. High prices on Hawaii Island are also impacted by fuel costs, low customer density, and geographic isolation. In 2022, Hawaii Island's electric grid was 50.1 percent dependent on foreign oil when all its renewable power plants were running.35 However, the grid does not account for propane use, meaning Hawaii Island is more dependent on foreign fuel than reflected by the grid. Therefore, operations cost is higher for businesses in Hawaii, even when using less energy than comparable businesses on the continent. In the face of international oil shortages or economic disruptions, the dependence on foreign oil will continue to increase the costs of living and operating businesses on the island. Hawaii residents have already experienced increased cost of electricity as a result of the Ukraine-Russia war. The County government can reduce its footprint by increasing the percentage of renewable fuel used to power County buildings and infrastructure, reducing vehicle miles traveled, and establishing more energy efficient buildings. Inefficient energy use in existing and new buildings emits increasing amounts of greenhouse gases. Building energy efficiency refers to how effectively infrastructure uses energy generated. Building design determines energy efficiency. For example, buildings that are designed with natural cooling systems (such as windows and doors that allow for cross-ventilation or siding that better reflects sunlight) require fewer fans or small air conditioning units. Upgrading appliances such as light bulbs, refrigerators, and washing machines also reduces electricity usage. New building development inevitably increases greenhouse gas emissions by adding an additional load on or off grid. New development also includes embodied emissions from harvesting, transportation, and construction of materials. However, buildings that are developed efficiently emit less than those that are not. Retrofitting older buildings can also decrease electricity use and therefore greenhouse gas emissions. This is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce emissions, as improving energy standards costs less than 1 cent per kWh saved.36 County facilities can be retrofitted to be more efficient using solar panels in areas with higher solar radiance (Figure 9). 32 Steffen Lange, Johanna Pohl,Tilman Santarius (2020) Digitalization and energy consumption. Does ICT reduce energy demand?, Ecological Economics,Volume 176, 106760, ISSN 0921-8009, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106760. 33 Hawaii State Energy Profile. U.S. Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/state/print.php?sid=Hl. 1 Nov.2022. 34 Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector. U.S. Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_g rap her.php?t=epmt_5_6_a. 1 Mar.2023. 35 Hawaii State Energy Profile. U.S. Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/state/print.php?sid=Hl. 1 Nov.2022. 36 Hawaii Energy Facts&Figures (2020). Hawaii State Energy Office. https://energy.hawaii.gov/wp- content/uploads/2020/11/HSEO_FactsAnd Fig ures-2020.pdf Climate Cascade 1:Greenhouse Gas Emissions 20