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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER AND <br /> ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY <br /> DATE: April 30, 2013 Re: Comm. No. 236/Res. No. 99 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kona, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 10:00 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability, to which was referred <br /> Resolution No. 99-13, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 99-13 transmitted by Council Member Margaret Wille via Communication <br /> No. 236, dated April 9, 2013, is a resolution urging the Administration to install photovoltaic <br /> systems on as many County facilities as possible using third-party financing such as solar power <br /> purchase agreements. <br /> Committee Chair Wille relinquished the Chair to Committee Vice Chair Poindexter. <br /> Council Member Wille stated she believed that this is budget related and that the County of <br /> Hawai`i should take advantage of the economies of scale and partner with private businesses <br /> (which can utilize tax credits that are not directly available to municipalities)through solar <br /> power purchase agreements to help reduce the cost of electricity. The reduction in cost would be <br /> substantial considering that electricity costs are one of the major expenditures in many of the <br /> departments' budgets. She further stated that the County of Maui began to install photovoltaic <br /> systems on its facilities in 2011 and urged the Kenoi Administration to do the same here in <br /> Hawaii County wherever feasible and practical. <br /> She further explained that this budget suggestion was made by a member of the public, and this <br /> should stand as an example of encouraging the public to come forth with good ideas for the <br /> County to balance its budget. <br /> The Department of Research and Development's Economic Development Specialist III William <br /> Rolston stated he understood the desire to install more photovoltaic systems to help decrease <br /> electricity costs, but was concerned that reducing the County's electricity costs will negatively <br /> impact other ratepayers. He explained that as the County installs more photovoltaic systems, it <br /> might be pushing Hawai`i Electric Light Company's (HELCO) costs on to other customers, <br /> including the poor and elderly that cannot afford it. He suggested that it should be done only at <br /> the right sites with a complete system, like the one being used at West Hawai`i Civic Center <br /> which includes batteries for power storage. He believes wind farms such as those being installed <br /> at wastewater treatment center by the Department of Water Supply may be a better option. <br /> AWESC Rept. No. 10 <br />