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Transportation Transportation is the primary source of emissions for Hawai'i County, with a total of 1,742,191 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) released per year, as shown in Figure 6. In Hawai'i, transportation emissions are generated from ground, air, and marine transportation. Ground transportation contributes 16.8 percent of emissions annually on Hawai'i Island.' Due to the rural geography of the island and the distance between urban socioeconomic hubs and residential areas, many residents have long commutes. The visitor industry adds to the use of vehicles on the island, as visitors rent cars and drive to popular attractions around the island. With increasing population and commercial activity, ground transportation emissions increased 17.31 percent from 2015 to 2017 and are expected to continue to increase.b Airline transportation also contributes significantly to GHG emissions, accounting for 54 percent of total annual emissions. Airline travel is essential to residential, commercial, and visitor industry activity on island. Interisland commutes are a standard part of many industries, including construction. Increasing population and commercial activity amplify the need for flights and imported goods, so airline emissions are expected to increase. On a local level, reducing emissions that are generated from the transportation sector involves expanding opportunities for and access to multimodal options as well as prioritizing active transportation in, planning and design processes. The General Plan further discusses strategies for decreasing vehicle reliance and improving commutes in the Transportation Access and Mobility section. Energy and Electricity On- and off -grid energy production and electricity use make up the second largest source of emissions on Hawai'i Island, with a total of 959,900 MTCO2e released per year.' Energy production provides electricity, air conditioning, and heat. Our heavy reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation and transportation, along with inefficient energy use, are contributing to increasing amounts of GHGs. Reducing fossil fuel use can relieve the burden of energy and fuel costs, especially in the face of global shocks and stressors that increase the price of imported fossil fuels. Homes in Hawaii use 40 percent less electricity on average than the national average.8 However, the State of Hawai'i has the highest energy cost of any state in the country, at 42.37 cents per kilowatt- hour (kWh), compared to the national average of 12.52 cents.' These high prices stem from the State's dependence on energy importation, as Hawai'i uses 12 times more energy than it produces and pricing structures are dependent on the cost of foreign oil, even for renewable energy generation. Foreign oil generates about 60 percent -of HawaiTs energy. The County can reduce its footprint by increasing the percentage of renewable fuel used to power public facilities and infrastructure, reducing VMT, and establishing more energy efficient buildings. One of the most cost-effective ways of reducing energy emissions is by making buildings more energy efficient, as improving energy standards costs less than 1 cent per kWh saved. Building energy efficiency refers to how effectively infrastructure uses energy generated. 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 GHG emissions ' COH, Greenhouse Gas Emissions' Inventory for 2017 (2021) 6 COH, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for 2017 (2021) ' COH Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for 2017 (2021) 8 U.S. Energy Information Administration, Hawai'i State Energy Profile https://www.eia.gov/state/print.php?sid=Hl ' U.S. Energy Information Administration, Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End -Use Sector htti2s://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm table cLrapher.php?t=epmt 5 6 a 3.0 Addressing Climate Change for Island -Wide Health I County of Hawai'i General Plan 59