Hawaii and Missouri Make Solar Strides

Recently, two states have taken greater steps towards energy independence by taking stronger action than has been federally mandated. Most states already have programs in place, and some states offer quite strong incentives for residential and commercial entities to adopt renewable energy technologies (Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, California, Arizona…). It’s good to see these two, previously among the more laggardly states, joining rank.

Hawaii: A partnership between the State of Hawaii and the US Department of Energy (DOE), the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative was announced in January 2008. According to the DOE, “The partnership aims to have 70% of all of Hawaii’s energy needs generated by renewable energy sources by 2030, cutting crude oil consumption in the state by 72%.” Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle and the DOE have worked hard to create a plan for implementing this agreement, and they finally released it in late October. This is truly great news for Hawaii, a state with limited conventional energy sources but a superabundance of sun, wind, tidal, and geothermal sources. The implementation plan includes elements such as:]

• the addition to HI’s electric grid, over the next 5 years, of 700 megawatts of power from already identified renewable energy sources (with another 400mw to follow);
• doubling the current RPS to 40% by 2030;
• a feed-in tariff;
• no construction of new coal plants;
• lifting the current cap on net metering;
• providing energy cost safety for low-income families;
• biofuel and electric vehicle initiatives;

…and a heck of a lot more besides. It’s a whopping move from a state that has heretofore been a bit sluggish with renewables, considering Hawaii’s real need for change.

Missouri: On November 4th, a few states had clean energy questions on the ballot in some form. Proposition C in Missouri put forth an RPS of 15% by 2021, and was voted in by a gratifying margin (66% of voters were for it). Missouri, a state with traditionally low incentives for renewable energy adoption, was a surprise here–California’s similar prop didn’t pass by about the same margin. So way to come on board with style, MO! Hopefully that RPS, which is not terrifically strong but is a great first step, will get strengthened over the coming years. Since the prop was voted in with such enthusiasm, it seems safe to expect MO residents to continue to support development of renewable energy resources and implementation.