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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0141.005 2008-2010 Aurora Research, LLC 73-4372 Hulilau St. Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 +1 808-325-1631 February 17, 2009 Testimony in support of adoption of IECC 2006, Bill 385 Dear Chairman and Members of PWIR Committee: I, Roderick Hinman of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, support the adoption of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code as part of our county's building code. My background is electrical engineering; I conduct research on solar energy technologies for a tenant at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA). New energy sources such as solar and wind are important for energy independence. However, the renewable energy industry recognizes that the most cost-effective investments to control energy expenses are those that reduce the amount of energy used. Indeed, responsible solar installers' first step is to perform an audit of household energy use and make suggestions for more efficient appliances or changes in practice. The International Energy Conservation Code directly addresses this issue by requiring minimum standards of energy efficiency for new buildings. Investments made during design and construction can be low cost and high return. Adopting the code will lead to both public and private benefits: • Building owners and their tenants will enjoy reduced utility bills, making homes and businesses more affordable. • Public buildings built to IECC standards will also be more efficient to operate, reducing the tax burden on our citizens. • Reduced strain on the island's electric grid will mitigate the need for Hawaii Electric Light Company to build more generation and transmission facilities. As these costs are ultimately passed on to the consumer-including through Dept. of Water Supply, HELCO's largest single customer-there is a public benefit to island-wide efficiency. Let us build our county's reputation as a leader in energy independence. We already have a large percentage of renewable energy on our island, and we need more. But first, we need to be as efficient as possible in all sectors of the economy. The International Energy Conservation Code is a positive step in that direction. Sincerely, Roderick T. Hinman, Ph.D Kailua-Kona, HI Comm. No. 5 Ref. To, 4MeMd W / Ref. Date EB 17 20 POWIRC Murashige, Laura Pub)lG P2clvlr~ From: Rod Hinman [rod@auroraresearch.com] Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 12:20 PM r- To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Testimony in support of Bill 385 Attachments: Hinman_TestimonylECC.pdf 2009 FEB 17 Ail 8 03 CCo-q; f ('-LE K COUNT'f s. N.GWAI Hinman-Testimony] ECC.pdf (22 K... Dear Members of County Council, Attached is written testimony in support of Bill 385 adopting the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code. I understand that it is being sent after the deadline for distribution at the public hearing of the Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations Committee on Feb. 17, so I will bring 15 copies with me on that day. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to testify. Sincerely, Roderick T. Hinman Kailua-Kona, HI 1 Aurora Research, LLC 73-4372 Hulilau St. Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 +1 808-325-1631 February 17, 2009 Testimony in support of adoption of IECC 2006, Bill 385 Dear Chairman and Members of PWIR Committee: I, Roderick Hinman of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, support the adoption of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code as part of our county's building code. My background is electrical engineering; I conduct research on solar energy technologies for a tenant at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA). New energy sources such as solar and wind are important for energy independence. However, the renewable energy industry recognizes that the most cost-effective investments to control energy expenses are those that reduce the amount of energy used. Indeed, responsible solar installers' first step is to perform an audit of household energy use and make suggestions for more efficient appliances or changes in practice. The International Energy Conservation Code directly addresses this issue by requiring minimum standards of energy efficiency for new buildings. Investments made during design and construction can be low cost and high return. Adopting the code will lead to both public and private benefits: • Building owners and their tenants will enjoy reduced utility bills, making homes and businesses more affordable. • Public buildings built to IECC standards will also be more efficient to operate, reducing the tax burden on our citizens. • Reduced strain on the island's electric grid will mitigate the need for Hawaii Electric Light Company to build more generation and transmission facilities. As these costs are ultimately passed on to the consumer-including through Dept. of Water Supply, HELCO's largest single customer-there is a public benefit to island-wide efficiency. Let us build our county's reputation as a leader in energy independence. We already have a large percentage of renewable energy on our island, and we need more. But first, we need to be as efficient as possible in all sectors of the economy. The International Energy Conservation Code is a positive step in that direction. Sincerely, Roderick T. Hinman, Ph.D Kailua-Kona, HI