HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0691.000 1996-1998 ca~+y c«~~~a
Na Makani Energy Initiative
P.O. Box 682 Kapaau, HI 96755 808.889.5906 isf@aloha.net
January 19, 1998
County Council Members
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Council Members,
Attached please find the final Project Report for the Na Makani Energy Initiative-Phase I,
for your information. This was an unusual, but highly significant, community based sustainability
project for Hawaii. We felt you would be interested in reviewing the report, especially the
"Legislative Recommendations" in the Action Plan section.
I am pleased to report the project was completed within the time and budget agreed upon
with the County of Hawaii in the originating contract. As a result of the collaborative interaction
with County Energy Coordinator, Ray Carr, over the course of this project, we are encouraged
regarding further renewable energy and sustainability projects. In fact, he has appended a
supplemental agreement to the original contract, proposing a Phase II of the Na Makani Energy
Initiativc.
As you will also note in the Action Plan section, we are intending to become more involved
in the Rebuild Hawaii Island Program. We are hoping that this will open other doors to facilitate our
community's sustainable energy and economic development. We will be working with Mr. Carr on
this, pending the County's approval of Phase II of our project.
The project coordinators and steering committee viewed these energy forums as an essential
step on the path to self-determination for our community and island. Your interest and continued
support will be appreciated as we make our way on the "soft energy path".
Respectfully,
JT P wer, MD, Project Manager
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REGIONAL ENERGY
I1~TITIATIVES
THE NA MAKAIVI ENERGY I1~iITIATIVE
PUTS FORTH THE RURAL NEEDS OF
HAWAII FOR THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS
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THE ATTACHED ENERGY PLANNING DOCUMENT
SUMMARIZES THE COMMUNITY BASED PLANNING
INITIATIVES ASSEMBLED BY A TASK FORCE OF
ENERGY EXPERTS AND COMMUNITY STAKE HOLDERS
IN NORTH KOHALA
PHASEI
NA MAKANI ENERGY INITIATIVE
sponsored by
PLAN TO PROTECT,INC.
TASK FORCB IEADER3
J.T.POWBR. M.D.
KFIVNETH BOCHE
JIM CHANNON
tl V
1'ROIECT REPORT
-~-Na Makani Energy Initiative--
Phase I
[Sponsored by Plan to Protect, Inc.]
Project Coordinators
J.T. Power, M.D.
Kenneth Boche
Jim Channon
~ ~
PROJECT RE['ORT
-~-Na Makani Energy Initiative-~-
Phase I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION I
II. BACKGROUND I
III. FORUM PROCESS 2
IV. PARTICIPANT SURVEY Z
V. ACTION PLAN 2
VI. SUMMARY 6
VII. ADDENDUM A-FORUM AGENDAS*
VIII. ADDENDUM B-PARTICIPANTS*
IX. ADDENDUM C-SURVEY RESULTS*
X. ADDENDUM D-HANDOUTS & FLYERS*
* [available upon request]
Na Makani Energy /nitiative
P.O. Box 682-Kapaau, HI 96755
808.889.5906 (phone/fax)
isf@aloha.net
INTRODUCTION
The Na Makani Energy Initiative, a County funded series of community energy
planning forums, held three roundtables on July 1, September 16, and November 18,
1997. Each of the forums focused, respectively, on one of three main areas: 1) energy
efficiency and conservation; 2) renewable energy strategies; and 3) action planning. A
diverse group of energy experts and community advocates convened on those occasions
to discuss options for future energy development in North Kohala. This project,
sponsored by Plan to Protect, Inc., anon-profit organization for resource sustainability,
was intended to introduce and formalize a community based planning process upon
which to build consensus and ongoing community participation. The current report is
prepared for the Hawaii County Department of Research and Development, which funded
the project.
BACKGROUND
As a result of the North Kohala community's clearly expressed preference to avoid
polluting technologies of energy production and to pursue long-term, sustainable
solutions to its energy needs into the 21s` century, an effort was initiated to engage in a
true community based energy planning process. Community members had previously
demonstrated a keen intention to pursue community self-determination in these matters.
Following on the unanimous passage, on June 19, 1996, of Hawaii County Council
Resolution 317-96-the so-called `North Kohala Power Resolution' (excerpts below), a
group of community advocates applied for and received a grant from the Hawaii County
Research and Development Department. This small grant provided an essential next step
toward implementing the intent of the Resolution by affording the community the
opportunity to explore, in the form of an "energy round table", the full range of practical
development options.
Excerpts from Hawaii County Council Resolution-317-96:
Now, therefore be it resolved by the Council of the County of Hawaii that
it joins with the citizens of North Kohala to formally request the Hawaii State
Legislature and the Governor to actively support an immediate full scale energy
conservation education effort, followed by the thoughtful development of
appropriate renewable, non-polluting and sustainable energy sources, such as
solar, wind and other proven, cost-effective alternative energy technologies, as
part of a collective, integrated strategy fora "soft energy path" into the 21st
century, in a community-based collaboration with governmental agencies, the
local utility and independent power producers.
Be it further resolved that the Council supports the creation of a forum to
address the above mentioned energy issues and that such a round table discussion
would be held in North Kohala, although not limited to issues facing the North
Kohala community with regards to alternative energy development.
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FORUM PROCESS
An operational steering committee composed of community members was
responsible for the planning and implementation of the forum series. This steering
committee developed a budget, established procedural format and guidelines, selected
participants, and set the schedule and agendas for the three forums (see Addendums A
and B). The committee was also responsible for community and media notification of
upcoming events (see Addendum D), and live (and weekly repeated tape delay) local
public access cable television broadcasts of all of the forums.
The selected format for each of the forums was a moderated presentation and
discussion process. Opportunity for community input was provided for by the inclusion
of a question and answer session, including on site call-in phone access for home
viewers. Each of the three forums was two hours in length.
PARTICIPANT SURVEY
During the third forum, which was focused on developing an action plan, the
attendees were asked to participate in a survey intended to elucidate trends regarding
future energy development in North Kohala. The procedure used was a modified `delphi
technique', which is deemed reliable when the sample is both qualified and broad. The
participants met those specifications.
The collective trends were subsequently summarized in a graphic overview to
establish general guidelines for the plan under development for North Kohala (see
Addendum C). The trends elaborated through this process are projected to be pertinent
for all outlying bioregions in the state of Hawaii, with utilization patterns contingent upon
resource availability at specific locations.
It is clear that regional power preferences, as determined by this survey, will be
moving from completely centralized sources to completely independent sources within
the first fifteen years of the next century. The interim phase will manifest customers who
are currently "on the grid", but who are progressively adding to their independence with
an array of new, locally purchased technology. They are referred to as "on/off grid"
customers. Over the long range, "micro technology" is anticipated that will fully establish
the independent, "off grid" customer. Ideally, during the interim, independent power
producers will initiate a regional interest in solar, wind and hydro power, likely in that
order.
In the short range, restrictive legislation and the community's lack of education about
alternatives are the two greatest challenges. Local initiatives for education could include
solar workshops, free energy audits, a legislative information service, and the
introduction of scale model solutions for display at local gathering places.
ACTION PLAN
A review of the transcripts of the three forums, revealed a number of possible actions
within specific areas of influence. Each of these actions is seen as a potential component
to the masterplan for energy development in North Kohala. As more of these actions are
1
undertaken, the community will become more energy self-sufficient, with the ultimate
goal of realizing energy independence and sustainability.
+ Utility Management Recommendations:
ACTION: HELCO has agreed to monitor total electrical demand for North
Kohala. This will provide a baseline from which to benchmark future changes in
energy demand from the grid.
? ACTION: HELCO has agreed to institute a small trial of "time of use" electrical
rates (test program with 50 homes). Na Makani proposes to evaluate community
interest in this idea during Phase II of the project.
? Leeislative Action Recommendations:
r ACTION: The State legislature should extend the solar and renewable energy
income tax credits. This is the single most important action that the legislature can
do to support renewable energy development. This action is known to be a net
benefit to the State's economy.
? ACTION: The State legislature should pass a true "net metering" bill. This would
allow excess electricity generated from renewable sources to be "traded" for
electricity generated by utilities at times when renewables are unavailable. This
would allow optimum sizing of grid inter-tied renewable sources.
ACTION: The State legislature should require that the Department of Health's
Clean Air Fund be utilized to implement cost-effective energy-efficiency and
renewable energy development (such as solar water heaters, energy-efficient
lighting in State facilities, etc.) that will defer the need for new fossil fuel
generating capacity.
? ACTION: The State legislature should empower the counties to provide property
tax-exemptions for renewable energy facilities. Property taxes on the value of
renewable energy facilities are an additional cost that renewable energy facilities
must bear. (HELCO's fossil fuel fired facilities are tax-exempt.)
? ACTION: Hawaii County Government should enact the Hawaii Residential
Model Energy Code.
ACTION: Hawaii County Government should enact diversion credits that
represent the real costs of landfilling green wastes. These diversion credits could
be utilized by renewable energy developers to supplement revenues from energy
sales. These revenues can substantially improve the economics of renewable
energy projects.
2
C
ACTION: Build alliances and communicate recommendations regarding this
agenda to State and County lawmakers.
? PUC Competition Docket Recommendations:
? ACTION: Allow wholesale and retail wheeling to permit direct service between
renewable energy facilities and customers. Provide renewable energy developers
with reasonable teens and conditions regarding access, access charges, etc.
Independent power producers should be allowed to transmit and distribute
renewable energy to consumers who are willing to pay the price.
? ACTION: Allow competition for operation and/or ownership of all or parts of the
electric grid by community non-profits or for-profit enterprises. Perhaps a
resource rich community such as North Kohala could provide power cheaper by a
community owned or operated utility grid. If rules permitted, a business plan
might show that the whole North Kohala portion of the grid could be operated
from energy sources indigenous to the district while providing a wider range of
customer choice about sources of power, as well as lower prices. This would also
provide a better business climate for emerging companies and technologies.
? ACTION: Allow on site electrical generation by underground gas pipelines.
Customers could be provided gas by independent power producers through
underground gas lines which run fuel cells located on the customer's property.
Would this be allowed under present or future rules? The gas could be made from
renewable sources, integrating "waste" management into the operation. Thus
customers would have a wider variety of choices about, and perhaps lower prices
for, their electricity.
? ACTION: Allow developers and/or owner power co-ops to provide power to
individual residences within new developments. This puts less demand on the
grid, whose present owners are planning new oil-fired sources to meet future
demands. And it provides niche markets for village scale integrated renewable
systems, which may be cost-effective today. Integrating waste-management,
agricultural production, and power production within a development as a way to
create all power on site and export no wastes is a goal of forward-thinking land
developers. Real estate developers can then offer their potential customers greater
choice in how their electricity is made as well as in what kinds of building
materials and resource-efficient designs are employed in a project. Innovation in
development, housing, and energy utilization would emerge.
? ACTION: Allow communities to vote to have a choice of power providers based
on better service, e.g. underground lines, lower prices, better reliability, renewable
energy sources, etc.
? ACTION: Build alliances and communicate these recommendations to the PUC
and Consumer Advocate.
3
? Community Outreach:
? ACTION: Put "energy action plan" on-line (www.kohala.org; Maui-Tomorzow;
www.kohala.net; ISF website). [No Expense]
? ACTION: Write articles about this Action Plan for Ka`u Landing, West Hawaii
Today, Kohala Mountain News, and other publications. [No Expense]
? ACTION: Evaluate community interest and need for the following action items,
probably through the use of a bulk mailing to the entire community, including a
residential energy questionnaire for return to Na Makani. [Utilize County Phase
II funds to implement this action.]
? ACTION: Provide free residential and commercial energy surveys. Kohala
Research shows that 42.5% of Kohala residents (1990 census: population = 4,800;
3.2/house = 1,500 households X .425 = 637.5 households) want these surveys. At
$25 per survey, this is $15,750. [Fund this action through a grant from CBED or
other appropriate funding source.]
? PROPOSED ACTION: Make available a residential efficiency package,
including water heater jacket; compact fluorescent lamps; high-efficiency
showerheads; faucet aerators; hot water pipe insulation; electric water heater
timers; on-demand water heaters. [Fund this action by combining HELCO's
residential efficiency program with money from users to help pay for
components.]
? PROPOSED ACTION: Make available a residential solar (solar hot water and
photovoltaic) package, including collectors, tanks, and other hazdware.
? ACTION: Evaluate each component. Where do we obtain items, how much do
each of these measures cost, and what are their life-cycle costs or other
profitability measures? [Fund evaluation of components with County Phase II
funds.]
? ACTION: Evaluate most reasonable ideas and hazdwaze. [Fund evaluation of
options with County Phase II funds.]
• Bulk installation of HELCO systems.
• Bulk buy of only collector and/or tank or pre-heater. (Combine with a
workshop or other means to get systems installed.)
• Bulk buy of Solaz Development, Inc.'s low-income solar water heater
systems.
Y ACTION: Evaluate "solar workshop" options for building and/or installing low-
cost solar systems. Examples follow. [Fund evaluation of options with County
Phase II funds.]
4
.
• Crystal City, Texas-$85 collectors.
• North Carolina Alternative Energy Corporation-$60 window box collectors
and $300 solar water heaters.
• Colton, California-youth build and install solar equipment. (Kohala
Intergenerational Center?)
DBEDT's "Do It Yourself Water Heater Construction and Installation
Program"
? Rebuild America Program:
ACTION: Become a partner in this Department of Energy program (through
`Rebuild Hawaii Island' partnership with Hawaii County and HELCO). The
community can access information on energy efficiency and renewable energy
products and services, case studies and peer exchange, technical assistance,
sustainable development program assistance, and financing options. DOE also
provides assistance brokering projects. The community would gain credibility for
funding and other purposes. Na Makani will prepaze a sepazate Action Plan for
participation in this program.
? Green Enertopia:
ACTION: Become a partner in this program, whose purpose includes the
establishment of national centers for enhancing public education, expanding
technology transfer, and developing incentives for clean energy systems. The
community would gain both technical assistance and credibility for funding and
other purposes.
? EntrenreneurialOpportunities:
? ACTION: Pursue these as part of the community's broader interests, and funding
and technical assistance requests.
SUMMARY
The Na Makani Energy Initiative project proposed to provide a vehicle for the
community to envision and articulate its preferred energy future, and to develop a
preliminary action plan as a cornerstone for energy self-sufficiency for the community of
North Kohala. The project was timely and important because it provided an impetus for
long range sustainable energy planning and development on the Island of Hawaii. Viable
planning strategies derived from this project can now be shared with other communities,
enabling them to make informed choices suitable for their prevailing conditions and in
alignment with their intended purposes. The final true measure of success for this project
lies in the degree to which these communities can engage themselves in this process and
self-determine their future on the "sofr energy path".
5
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