Gabbard's Great Green Initiatives

With the 2010 legislative session well underway, there are thousands of bills being discussed, voted on, and amended at the Capitol right now. Sen. Gabbard has introduced some exciting legislation as Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee to bring Hawai'i closer to getting a majority of our energy through alternative sources while becoming more energy efficient.

Mike introduced a bill to require developers to incorporate design elements and do some equipment installation to make all new single-family homes photovoltaic-ready by 2012. If this passes it will mean a lot more people will be able to get their energy from the abundant sunshine we are blessed with here, instead of from the grid.

There is also a bill to require all new single-family homes to be net zero energy capable by 2015. By this initiative, Sen. Gabbard intends for homes to be built in a way to make it practical for the homeowner to be able to produce as much energy as he/she consumes, thus making his/her electricity bill zero.

Another great bill to support is one that establishes a property assessed clean energy bond financing program in the state. This would allow the state to issue bonds to help homeowners and businesses finance efficiency improvements and small renewable energy systems. The loans would then be repaid over a prescribed time period through their property tax bill.

You can keep updated on the status of these bills and Mike Gabbard's other bills on his Capitol website- http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/Site1/Senate/members/Sen19.asp

Senator Gabbard to Speak at Energy Policy Event

An important event titled “Energy Fuels our Hawai‘i Economy,” organized by the Energy Policy Forum, is happening January 8th, 10am to 12pm at the Hawai'i State Capitol Auditorium. The speakers will focus on key industry needs for the 2010 session. The closing remarks will be presented by Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee.

The presenters at the briefing will discuss everything from exciting energy efficiency projects to initiatives recommended for the upcoming legislative session. Available for questions after the presentations will be experts in every kind of clean energy imaginable.

Join Sen. Gabbard at this event and learn how we can all support a cleaner powered Hawai'i.

Mike Gabbard Supports Alternative Energy Projects

Senator Mike Gabbard is a HUGE supporter of alternative energy. Recently he testified at a public hearing held by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands about two proposed solar energy projects in Kalaeloa.

Sopogy, a Hawai’i based company, plans to construct its Kalaeloa Solar One concentrated solar power project, which will be the largest solar farm of its kind in the state. Senator Gabbard is impressed that it will provide 4MW of power for 1,150 homes, eliminate 13,475 barrels of imported oil annually, and create over 300 construction jobs.

Recurrent Energy is a San Francisco based company which plans to build a 5 MW solar PV project. Because Mike Gabbard is a Kalaeloa resident and Chair of the Senate’s Energy and Environment Committee, he is a strong supporter of this exciting renewable energy development in the Second City.

Mike Gabbard also traveled to the Big Island for the blessing and dedication of Holaniku at Keahole Point on December 10th. Holaniku, the world's first Concentrating Solar Power project using MicroCSP technologies, will provide enough clean, solar power for more than 250 homes while reducing our need for 2,000 barrels of imported oil each year.

Senator Gabbard presented a certificate commending Keahole Solar Power, LLC for developing the project and Sopogy, Inc for powering it because it will reduce carbon emissions by 6,000 tons over 30 years. Holaniku’s production can be compared to the benefit of planting 24,000 trees. Senator Gabbard warmly congratulated CEO and Founder Darren Kimura for his commitment to a bright and powerful future for our state.

Thanks, Senator Gabbard, for your support of alternative energy and for encouraging new projects like this in Hawai'i!