In effort to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a cleaner, greener world, it seems politically divided locations are in a race to be the first to implement greener technologies. (But really, who is complaining?)
Just last month, Vancouver revealed it has plans to run on 100% renewable energy, and France began mandating its residents install solar panels and/or green gardens on new rooftops built in the country.
And now, Hawaii has recently announced its plans to be the first state to run on completely renewable energy by the year 2045 – no doubt exciting many US residents.
As a chain of islands dependent on oil for energy, the state definitely has a lot to gain by implementing renewable resources. Importing the required oil to support modern-day living is very expensive. With over 90 percent of Hawaii’s energy generated from imported oil, their electricity rates are about 175% of the national average.
To remedy this, the state is looking to clean energy, and a bill passed last week by the legislature would see all of Hawaii’s power generated from renewable sources by 2045.
The set forth Clean Energy Initiative had already set a goal of producing 15 percent of electricity from clean sources by the end of 2015. But Hawaii is already at 23 percent, so it became evident revision was needed.
The measure, if approved by Governor David Ige, would take the form of a series of goals: 25 percent of electricity sales to be renewable by 2020, 40 percent by 2030, 70 percent by 2035, and 100 percent by 2045.
As shared by the Huffington Post, Mark Glick, the Hawaii State Energy Office energy administrator, thinks the measures make perfect economic sense. He notes that many of Hawaii’s 50 renewable energy products “compete favorably today with the cost of oil.”
Some of Hawaii’s projects already include a large geothermal plant, biomass facilities, and an array of solar, wind, and hydropower projects. In fact, the islands are perfectly suited for renewable energy.
But such an ambitious goal will definitely take time to be accomplished. Anthony Kuh, director of the Renewable Energy and Island Sustainability Group at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, told Climate Central:
“We don’t probably have the technology today to do everything.” But as technology continues to advance at exponential rate, no doubt the goal will someday be absolutely attainable.
All pressure is now on Governor Ige, who has until June to approve the measure. Many are optimistic it will go through, however, as the Governor does appear to stand by the bill:
“This is a significant step in our effort toward reducing Hawaii’s dependence on expensive imported oil and putting the state on the path toward greater energy, environmental and economic security.”
