HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0479.004 2010-2012 HAWAII COUNTY ENERGY COMMITTEE MEETING
January 31, 2012 1 :00 pm
Aloha,
It has been 2 short and fast years, we have been working on bringing this finale
geothermal report forward. As history looks back to these times what will the work of our
working group prove to be?The right move for the working families and businesses of
hawaii or the wrong move, our decision to resurrect the old bad feelings about
geothermal development was a bitter/sweet pill to swallow.
But I truly believe that the work we have completed will prove to be one of the most
important works that will help the rubba slipper folks here in Hawaii. We took on the
challenge knowing what we would be up against. This is a very important journey we
are on. One that we can not afford to miss. Holding the numerous community meetings
State wide has shown that the majority will support geothermal development.
What will our grand children say about us in the years to come?
I was taught to leave your camp site in a better condition then when you arrived. Same
holds true here as leaders of our community how can we leave Hawaii County in a
better condition then we got it for the benefit of all. With our Mayor's Billy Kenoi foresight
to lead this important endeavor to bring geothermal energy to the forefront, to better the
living conditions of the people of Hawaii is an honorable mission. Mahalo nui Mayor
Kenoi. The people of Hawaii deserves nothing less then the best.
The Geothermal Working Group's principal findings:
- Geothermal is a renewable resource indigenous to the island of Hawaii that is
dissociated from the price volatility of petroleum fuels. We can be far less
dependent of foreign oil. 1 Billion dollars spent every year to import oil for our
Hawaii County energy needs. About 8 Billion State wide, Unnecessary. That
money can stay right here to build a better community.
- Geothermal can be a key component in a diversified energy portfolio for Hawaii
County, both for the electrical grid and for transportation. Yes our goal is to start
here in Hawaii County, 100% geothermal for our base-load electricity. But if
financial and technological advances permit the expansion of geothermal to the
outer islands, so be it. Diversified alternative energy is very important to our
energy needs. But when the sun doesn't shine or the wind doesn't blow, unlike
geothermal which is constant, always on.
- In Hawaii, geothermal is a firm-energy resource at lower cost than fossil fuel. -
Developing multiple geothermal plants is the most prudent approach. We can not ll''
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put all our eggs in one basket so to speak. Different locations around the island
Is important to protect and supply the grid.
- Geothermal has the potential to supply baseload electricity; long term reliability
and the ability to supply grid management services (currently supplied by
conventional fossil-fueled power plants) must be demonstrated in order to consider
geothermal as the primary energy resource. PGV has proven that it can be done, if
done correctly, and for almost 20 years PGV has done so.
- With geothermal power plants, agricultural fertilizers, hydrogen, oxygen, and
business-enterprise power can be produced for off-peak rates during the hours of
curtailed electrical demand. We could become a major exporter of NH3 and other
geothermal energy by-products. Generating income for the County and State.
IV. Recommended Steps for Hawaii State Legislators
- Make the allocation of geothermal royalties more transparent to show how
benefits come back to the community. Designate the records of the allocations to
be public domain. The people need to know where and how they have a direct
benefit from the Royalties.
- Establish a community advisory board to offer suggestions to the DLNR about
how royalties generated by geothermal power plants are spent. The advisory board
should be members of the communities that host existing or future geothermal
power plants and/or those who are most impacted by the development of
geothermal energy.
- Encourage the DLNR to use geothermal royalties to identify promising
geothermal sites and to further develop the resource. We need and must identify
- The best location to drill and offer these site locations to the highest bidding
developer who will offer the best community benefits packages.
- In light of the probability that oil will reach $200 per barrel (Lloyds of London),
the legislature is requested to commission a study to show the economic impact of
various prices of oil. This information is very important for future economic
planning of the County and State. This is not a doom and gloom scenario, it is the
facts of life, It is just a matter of time. Plan now be safe tomorrow.
- Facilitate development of geothermal with a critical review of the geothermal
permitting process, regulatory capabilities, and possible investment incentives.
Developers have a hard time to get projects started, a stream lined process would
help.
Where we do we go from here ? We already lack the luxury of time, We are
moving in the right direction, building the momentum to punch forward ,the
community ground swell is bound to happen once the oil prices begin to climb
beyond control, by then it would have been to late if we fail to act now.
Beneficiaries, Communities, Businesses must see a direct improvement in their
bottom line and pocket books.
The Keys are: geothermal is cheap, geothermal power is proven , geothermal is
environmentally sound.
Respect for the Hawaiian cultural and environmental concerns must be of a utmost
importance. When done correctly geothermal energy will be a great asset for the
children, kupuna's and working families of Hawaii.
Imua Hawaii , Be proud of who we are and what we have , remember the high cost
of living in paradise doesn't have to be so high. Learn More Live Better.
Mahalo
Co-Chair Geothermal Working Group
Wallace A Ishibashi Jr
ILWU Local 142
100 W. Lanikaula st.
Hilo , Hawaii 96720
Cell 960-3501