Energy Independence – The Democratization of Power
In his book “Hot, Flat and Crowded,” Thomas L. Friedman explains the dangerous convergence of economic, environmental and security interests that makes the goal of energy independence the most critical issue facing our nation.

As an island state nearly totally dependent on imported oil, the urgency for Hawai‘i is magnified ten-fold. As a place with an abundance of natural energy resources including solar, wind, geo thermal, wave, and ocean thermal the opportunity is magnified equally so.

Energy independence represents an immediate, clear and unambiguous pathway to a prosperous, vibrant and diversified economy. Retaining any significant percentage of the $6 billion or more presently exported annually for the importation of oil would have a massive and immediate economic multiplier effect. The creation of new “Green Collar” jobs in both the development and implementation of renewable energy strategies represents real opportunity, but this must be dramatically accelerated.

Hawai‘i can be the world leader in the development of renewable energy.

The environmental benefits of energy independence are obvious. The risk of rising sea levels should be incentive enough for us to lead the way in reducing green house gas emissions.

Given the fragile state of our economy at the moment, any incident whether natural or man-made that might keep the oil tankers from getting here, would send our economy into a tailspin and has the potential to send our community into the dark ages, literally.

While much has been accomplished in small incremental steps over the past few years, it is time for bold action.

One such bold step was taken recently when the legislature passed into law a “first in the nation” initiative requiring a solar hot water heater or other energy efficient system be installed in all new homes starting in 2010. As the original introducer of this Bill, I know first hand the challenge involved in taking bold steps and applaud my colleagues and especially Kaua‘i’s own Representative Hermina Morita for making this a reality.

Another bold step, also supported by myself and written in large part by Rep Morita is HB1271 now sitting under threat of veto, at the desk of the governor. It is imperative that this measure which will generate millions of dollars in targeted support for food and energy security initiatives be signed into law. Hopefully the governor relents and approves, but if not the legislature should over-ride the veto.

Ultimately what is needed in our state is an accelerated plan in support of “democratized power production.” Every roof top of every home and business should and can become its own independent power producer. Distributed generation favoring small power producers, supported by a smart grid is the model our State should be aggressively pursuing.

Unfortunately, the monolithic public utility model of the past continues to dominate and consequently inhibit the expansion of small independent power producers. For a variety of reasons, our electric public utilities statewide are resistant to change and have a clear bias toward supporting “big power” producers and at the expense of smaller producers. Existing utilities must embrace and encourage the small producer and facilitate the proliferation of true distributed generation by focusing and accelerating the development of “smart grid” technology and by expanding rather than limiting the benefits of net metering, allowing individuals to sell their excess power back to the grid at reasonable rates.

Counties, who control the zoning and permitting process, must also recognize the urgency and the benefits that come with accelerating the process that allows individual homes, farms and business to be energy self-sufficient.

The technology is available now. The public is clamoring for action. We have a White House that supports this kind of change. It is time to seize the moment. IMUA!

Hawaii Senator Gary Hooser
Majority Leader
Candidate for Lieutenant Governor
Watch "The Hooser Story" at http://www.garyhooser.com