HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0066.045 2004-2006
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Harry Kim rP: ' Jane H. Testa
Mayor v° Direclor
• Diane L. Ley
'+r~ o~~N~+~~ Deputy Director
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County of Hawaii ~7
DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT C ~
25 Aupuni Street, Room 109 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 ;
(808)961-8366• pax (608)935-1205
E-mail: chresdev@interpac.ne[ ~ ~
MEMORANDUM ~
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TO: Stacy K. Higa, Chairman d Members of the Hawaii County Council. -
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FROM: Jane H. Testa, ctor ~
DATE: June 5, 2006
SUBJECT: FINAL REPORT
Name of Grant Program: Energy Coordinator
Federal or State Grantor: State of Hawaii-DBEDT
County Grantee Department or Agency: Department of Research and Development
Grant No. (IF KNOWN):
County Revenue & Expenditure Account Numbers: Revenue: 3303.58; exp. 010-161-5162.85
Amount of Grant: $60,600
Amount of County Match:
Grant Period (Commencement & Completion): July 1, 2004 -June 30, 2005
Goals:
Objectives:
Outcomes or Results: see attached
Comm. No.
Ref. Toe
Raf. Uate
Hawaii Coun[y is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY PROGRAM
ANNUAL REPORT 2004-05
Program Description:
The Department of Research and Development's Energy Program participates in
State and utility energy planning and regulatory programs, maintains the
County's Energy Emergency Preparedness Program, and implements a
comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy program for the County
of Hawai i.
Integrated Resource Planning and Public Utility Commission Dockets:
The County's interests were represented on the Public Utility Commission's
Advisory Group as the Hawaii Electric Light Company continued its third round
of Integrated Resource Planning. Additionally, the department worked
collaboratively with the Kohala Center during this planning process to optimize
efforts to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy resources
on the island.
The Department also represented the County at the annual Hawaii Energy
Policy Forum sponsored by the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Energy Emergency Preparedness Program:
The Department maintains the County's Energy Emergency Preparedness
Program through continuous monitoring of reports and advisories from the State
Energy Office, particularly with regard to terrorism threats. While there were no
incidents necessitating action by the department, staff remains continually
available to provide assistance to Hawaii County Civil Defense.
Comprehensive Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program:
The Department participates in the national Rebuild America Program to obtain
technical assistance and grants that support county agencies and other
organizations and communities in achieving energy efficiency. Participation in the
Rebuild Hawaii Consortium also has proven beneficial, including efforts to
increase the Department of Water Supply's energy efficiency program.
As part of the Rebuild Hawaii program, the department continued to monitor the
building retrofit projects for the Police Department. An assessment was carried
out and it was determined that the Police Department would continue its contract
with Honeywell, Inc. to provide maintenance services and energy savings
guarantee until November 2011. This contract applies to the Hilo Public Safety
Building and the Kona Police Station. The Cost Avoidance Report for the third
year of this project noted $177,594 in energy cost savings, which exceeded the
guaranteed savings of $139,792.
In an effort to support local actions and initiatives to enhance and penetrate
renewable energy and energy efficient systems, the Department managed a
project to determine the feasibility of establishing business enterprises utilizing
direct use of geothermal heat. A $9,560 grant was award under the
'GeoPowering the West' initiative of the US Department of Energy.
Subsequently, a Working Group was established and community meetings were
conducted to share information and gather feedback from local residents and
businesses. Public support was expressed for direct use of geothermal heat
provided that there would be minimal negative environmental impacts and small
businesses would have access to the resource. Subsequently, a $95,600 federal
grant award was approved which will allow for a cost benefit analysis to be
conducted during the coming year.
The Model Energy Code continues to be applied with minimum of problems.
Efforts continue with the Building Division to monitor the implementation of the
Code and to identify the appropriate timing to update the energy section of the
Hawaii County Building Code.
The County's selection committee for the design of the West Hawaii Civic
Center choose Urban Works of Honolulu. Urban Works has a demonstrated
commitment to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.
The Department award a $10,000 grant to the Natural Energy Laboratory of
Hawaii Authority to fund the dedication of the new Gateway Energy Center and
associated workshops in October 2004.