REP FESC 008 11/20/2008 2006-2008

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOOD AND ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY DATE: November 20, 2008 PLACE: Councilroom Ben Franklin Bldg., 2"d Floor 333 Kilauea Avenue Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 12:09 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 RE: Comm. 1536/Res.795-08 Your Committee on Food and Energy Sustainability, to which was referred Resolution 795-08, reports as follows: ~ Resolution 795-08, transmitted by Council Chair Pete Hoffmann via Communication 1536, dated October 21, 2008, requests that the Department of Research and Development create and maintain a consumer education website designed to help Hawaii Island residents reduce their energy usage and costs. The purpose of this resolution is to have the Department of Research and Development partner with The Kohala Center to create a consumer education website by March 1, 2009, and to have the Research and Development Director present an overview of the website to the Council by June 30, 2009. The consumer education website should include the following: • Energy usage calculations for major types of appliances calculated to the October 2008 HELCO rates • Links to government sites regarding auto fuel. efficiency • Energy-saving practices for homeowners • Information on solar hot water and solar electric systems for the home • A link to the County's Hele-On Bus website • Updates on important energy-related legislation at all levels of government • Other relevant energy-related information or links There were no testifiers from Hilo, Waimea, or Kona. Council Member Bob Jacobson asked Council Chair Pete Hoffmann if there was a concrete action plan already worked out with the Department of Research and Development and The Kohala Center. Mr. Hoffmann responded that The Kohala Center has already done some research on this and is ready to work with the Department of Research and Development to implement the consumer education website. FESC Report No. 08