In June of 2015, Bill 623 was signed into law. It mandates the most aggressive clean energy goal in the country – to be energy independent, using 100% renewable energy sources by 2045.  As the most oil-dependent state (billions for dollars worth of oil imported each year), achieving this goal will allow us to improve our energy security, create new industries that can boost our economy, and contribute to a better environment.

Now that the bill is law, we have a ‘big-hairy-audacious-goal’ in front of us and a lot of questions:

• Is it feasible for Hawaii to achieve energy independence (from fossil fuel)?
• What would it take?
• What would the actual consequences be to the economy, jobs, and the environment?

There are so many related questions but the key ones are: “Why do it?” and “Can it be done?”.

Why do it?

There are a number of reasons but I’m assuming that the key ones are economic and environmental in nature.

The pocketbook. As a consumer, a shift to renewables can provide immediately noticeable economic benefit. Hawaii residents who have installed photovoltaic (PV) systems are enjoying dramatically reduced energy bills. Electric car owners who have sized their PV system appropriately are literally powering their vehicles with sunshine. The demand for PV has contributed job opportunities for a local solar PV installers, electricians, engineers, county inspectors, and even utility employees.

At a macro-level, it’s well known that our energy and fuel is among the most expensive in the nation. We’re dependent not only on the market fluctuations, we must ship the fuel to our islands.  Hawaii is one of the most geographically isolated places on earth so shipping is not cheap. A shift to renewables should ultimately allow us to secure a consistent and (hopefully) more cost-effective energy supply.

But… What is the net impact to jobs? Will renewables be a net economic benefit? Are there long-term consequences to the economy that we must anticipate and mitigate?

The environment. Reducing carbon emissions and reversing climate change is the most compelling reason for a shift away from fossil energy. There is no denying that our climate has changed and that it is only worsening. Unless the world starts taking meaningful steps now, the legacy that we’re leaving our children will not be one that any of us will be proud of. The economic and quality-of-life consequences associated with rising sea levels, altered weather patterns, super storms, geo-political conflict related to water and food scarcity, and environment degradation are mind-boggling.

There are powerful interests who tout the ‘myth of climate’ change. These are supported by industries that are dependent on oil, coal, and natural gas. They are backed by well-funded groups and even have the support of some in the scientific community. However, the majority of the climate scientists has repeatedly highlighted that climate change is real and that man is contributing to it. Importantly, we only need to reflect on the crazy weather patterns of the past few years for confirmation.

Can Hawaii’s goal for energy independence by 2045 be achieved?

YES! There are several countries that are already close to achieving similar goals. This includes countries like Germany where, despite location and weather, leads the world in solar energy production.

The following article lists  a number of countries that are leading in the renewable energy space. CleanTechnica – How 11 Countries are leading the Shift to Renewables

• Costa Rica, a country of 4.8MM, utilized renewables for 99% of their electricity in 2015!
• Scotland utilized wind power to generate 97% of its household electricity in 2015.

If they can, we can.  We’ve got abundant wind, wave, solar, and geothermal sources of energy that can be harvested to address our needs. Yes, the up-front investment may be significant but the benefits will be shared for generations. Why depend on imported oil to power our infrastructure and our vehicles when we can be independent? Why continue to rely of energy sources that continue to harm the earth when there is an alternative?

Headwinds…

Importantly, we must listen with healthy skepticism when we hear challenges to our clean energy goal and our efforts to achieve them. There are organizations like Heartland Institute that are supported by entities with strong economic incentives to attempts to wean our nation from oil, coal, and gas.

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is “an independent, nonprofit research and educational institution devoted to promoting the principles of individual liberty, free markets, and limited and accountable government throughout the state of Hawaii and the Pacific Rim.” Grassroot has ties to the State Policy Network. According to Sourcewatch, State Policy Network is funded by the Koch brothers.

Heartland Institute is influenced heavily by the Koch brothers and ALEC. It questions, among other things, the reality of climate change. A few years back, it was the subject of ‘denier-gate’.

Recently, James M. Taylor of the Heartland Institute was invited to speak at a Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. Mr. Taylor is recognized as a climate change denier. He is a compelling and convincing speaker. His speech at the Grassroot event can be found in this video. His argument and that of the Grassroot institute is that Hawaii’s 100% renewable mandate is not economically sound and is not good for the environment. He challenges the rationale for renewables arguing that there is no issue with energy supply (the US has abundant oil, gas, and coal), that the economic benefits for pursuing renewables is false, and that, as a result of the above, the claim that renewable energy is good for the environment is also false.

The video is long (about 50 minutes) and is thought provoking as it raises good questions that we must seek answers to, exemplifies the power of influence and misinformation, and the highlights the pressure that Hawaii will face in light of its efforts to wean itself from fossil fuel. The arguments are interwoven with convincing non-partisan ‘get government out’ positions and even backed by select data from the federal government and the Brookings Institute.

At the end of it, you are still left with organizations and speakers who openly deny climate change and are linked with powerful organizations that have every incentive to propagate our dependency on fossil energy and continue the plunder of our environment.

In the meantime…

Hawaii is making good progress towards the energy goal. Hawaiian Electric Company’s fuel mix page provides some insight on this progress. On the Big Island, 38% of the electricity produced in 2014 was from renewable sources. Importantly, the company is showing support for electric vehicle adoption with the installation of critically needed level 3 charging stations.

I hope that this inspires you to be involved in helping Hawaii achieve energy independence and to counter efforts designed to undermine our progress.