HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FESC 004 04/21/2008 2006-2008
REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FOOD AND ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY
DATE: April 21, 2008 RE: Comm. 1133/Res. 593-08
PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa
78-128 Ehukai Street
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 10:45 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Food and Energy Sustainability, to which was referred Resolution 593-08,
reports as follows:
Resolution 593-08, transmitted by Council Chair Pete Hoffmann via Communication 1133, dated
March 20, 2008, encourages effective management practices that reduce the use of electrical
energy and potable water through supply system optimization.
According to the Hawaii County Energy Sustainability Plan, the Department of Water Supply is
one of the largest single customers of HELCO (Hawai`i Electric Light Company). Hawaii
County relies almost exclusively on pumped water for its drinking water needs; and pumping
groundwater is one of the most expensive and energy intensive ways of delivering water to
consumers. Furthermore, the Hawaii County Energy Sustainability Plan has identified five
areas of improvement for the Department of Water Supply: (1) repair the most extensive leaks in
the water system, (2) create a water conservation policy, (3) develop more storage capacity to
prevent the need for peak pumping, (4) institute a pump system maintenance and efficiency
program, and (5) install generating pressure reducing valves to capture energy from the pressure
in the water system that must be reduced before distribution to customers.
The purpose of this resolution is to encourage the Department of Water Supply to implement the
recommendations in the Hawaii County Energy Sustainability Plan in order to reduce the
County's dependence on fossil fuels and to save money by decreasing the total use of potable
water and fossil fuel. This resolution also requests that the Mayor present a draft comprehensive
water conservation policy to the Council by May 1, 2009.
There was only one testifier, Dr. James Weatherford, who spoke from Hilo in support of the
resolution. He stated that this is one of a handful of essential steps that have been identified and
recommended by The Kohala Center.
Council Members Angel Pilago and Bob Jacobson expressed their support of this resolution.
FESC Report No. 04
Comm. 113 3/Res. 593-08
April 21, 2008
Page 2
Council Member Brenda Ford spoke in support of this resolution, but stated that she would like
to see this initiative become an ordinance. She suggested that the County use interchangeable
pumps, so that when a pump goes out, there would be a spare part/pump available instead of
having to wait for a replacement order to come in. She also stated that she would like to hear
from the Department of Water Supply as no one from that department was present.
Council Chair Pete Hoffmann explained that he introduced this measure as a resolution so that
the Department of Water Supply would have the opportunity to provide input and to work with
the Council. Mr. Hoffmann also invited the Department of Water Supply to attend the next
Council meeting.
Your Committee on Food and Energy Sustainability is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Resolution 593-08 and recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES A&E Ex Respectfully submitted,
FORD X
HIGA X COMMITTEE ON FOOD AND ENERGY
HOFFMANN X SUSTAINABILITY
IKEDA X
JACOBSON X
NAEOLE X
PILAGO X J YOSHIMOTO, CHAIR
YAGONG X FESC REPORT NO. 04
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: MAY 0 7 2008