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renewable energy alternatives that reduce the dependence on imported fossil fuels and <br /> increase energy self-sufficiency."; and <br /> WHEREAS, power rates in Hawaii County are among the highest in the nation, a fact <br /> <br /> which the general plan acknowledges is partially due to high distribution costs for transmitting <br /> power from the generation centers in East Hawaii to customers in West Hawaii when it states <br /> in section 3.1, in part: <br /> "Power rates on this island are among the highest in the nation... The major generating <br /> plants aze located in East Hawaii. This requires generating more in East Hawaii to <br /> compensate for losses in lines going over to West Hawaii. Other factors creating higher <br /> costs are the small mazket and the sparseness of population in a relatively lazge service <br /> area."; and <br /> WHEREAS, private initiatives to enhance energy efficiency and generate renewable <br /> power closer to customer load centers should be encouraged, especially in the fast-growing azeas <br /> of West Hawaii; and <br /> WHEREAS, wind energy facilities are clean, renewable energy sources, which produce <br /> no emissions or chemical wastes; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Waikoloa Village Association is exploring opportunities to become <br /> more energy self-sufficient, through photovoltaic and wind power generation; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Waikoloa Village Association owns a 250-acre pazcel of land located <br /> within the Open zoned district that is being considered as a site for potential wind power <br /> generation; and <br /> WHEREAS, wind energy facilities, with proper approval by the planning depaztment <br /> and planning commission through the use permit process, may be compatible with the stated <br /> purpose of the Open district; and <br /> 2 <br /> <br />