Obama EPA Paves the Way for Clean Cars

Long-Sought Decision on Waiver Allows California, Other States to Slash Oil Dependence, Tackle Warming

Washington, D.C. June 30, 2009
The Environmental Protection Agency today reversed one of the most controversial decisions of the previous administration and granted California the Clean Air Act “waiver” that it and more than a dozen other states need to move forward with their landmark global warming emissions standards for vehicles. Today’s announcement will be followed by a rulemaking process for the Obama administration’s comprehensive national plan for clean cars.

Granting the waiver will allow California and the other states to move forward with standards for the model years 2009-2016. President Obama recently announced a national standard mirroring California’s effort to cut global warming emissions from tailpipes 30 percent by 2016. That standard will be in effect for the model years 2012-2016, during which time California and the other states shall defer to the national standard.

(From Sierra Club posting)

Haste may make waste

The Maui News, Editorial, July 2, 2009.

As part of the state’s Photovoltaic Energy Systems Project, a contract for the Kahului Airport went to an Oahu company when there was at least one Maui firm that could have done the job.

The 2008 photovoltaic project had a laudable goal – help cut Hawaii’s appetite for imported oil. The state’s request for proposal called for a contractor to install and maintain multiple units putting out a total of 34 megawatts. That would have entailed a capital investment of something like $50 million. Usually, a contractor installs a photovoltaic generator, sells it to investors to recover the initial outlay and then maintains the unit under contract.

The scope of the project put it out of reach of Maui’s solar companies. The winner ran into the credit crunch and pulled out. The state Department of Transportation scaled down its plans, received permission to issue a no-bid contract and someone picked Hoku Scientific of Honolulu.

Hoku is supplying less than 1 megawatt of capacity at state facilities on Maui, the Big Island and Kauai. Tim Whitcomb of Haleakala Solar said his 32-year-old Maui firm could have handled the smaller contract, if he’d known about it. Apparently there was a need for speed, prompting the no-bid approach.

That need for speed also led to the state locking itself into a 20-year contract that calls for spending 38 cents a kilowatt hour, a reasonable rate in the context of oil prices heading for the stratosphere. In the interim oil prices dropped to half what they were and Maui Electric Co. is charging medium to large customers between 16 and 21 cents a kilowatt hour.

Going photovoltaic is costing the state this year, but might not in the future. At any rate, it’s a reasonable initial investment. With MECO and its parent Hawaiian Electric Co. ready to charge higher rates to cover the cost of linking Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Oahu with an undersea cable, there is an open door for Maui County to become a major supplier of electricity to Oahu, lowering power costs on Lanai, Molokai and maybe Maui while creating a viable alternative energy industry in the county.

Maui’s Fourth Annual Solar Tour Brings Solar to Light

Haiku, HI—On Saturday July 11th, the nonprofit Hawaii PV Coalition will hold Maui’s Fourth Annual “House of the Sun Solar Tour,” inviting Maui residents to tour homes and businesses that save money—and oil—by using solar energy. This event is FREE and open to the public.

During the tour residents will learn how their neighbors are trimming their electric bills, increasing their energy independence and taking steps to address global warming. Tour hours are from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., and will feature properties in North, West, South and Central Maui. Participants register to attend the tour at http://www.hawaiipvcoalition.org or by calling 808-579-8288.

The tour will feature property owners and experts who will discuss the environmental reasons for going solar as well as the financial savings, including huge state and federal tax credits that are now available. Featured properties include The Cottages at Kulamalu in Kula, Realtors Association of Maui in Kahului and Kihei Lutheran Church in Kihei.

“The State of Hawaii is more dependent on imported fossil fuel than any other state in the nation. It’s time we changed that by using the renewable options available to us,” said Brad Albert, founder of the Hawaii PV Coalition. “This tour gives Maui residents a first-hand look at solar technology — learning what it is, how it works, and how it decreases our dependence on oil.”

The Solar Tour is sponsored by Sharp Electronics, the largest solar panel manufacturer in the world. Other co-sponsors include Maui Electric Company Ltd. (MECO) and DR Horton, Schuler Division – Cottages at Kulamalu.

The Hawaii PV Coalition, a nonprofit organization composed of businesses and homeowners, was formed to actively promote solar electric energy across the Hawaiian Islands. For more information on the tour or to join the Coalition, visit http://www.hawaiipvcoalition.org.