Hello Hawaii RIG members!
The last month has seen a number of interesting developments in the industry, as interest and investment continue to grow. Here at home, we had the 11th annual Hawaii Energy Conference, which featured three particularly notable events:
Pathways for Geothermal Energy panel, featuring our own Nicole Lautze and Michael Kaleikini, moderation by Noe Kalipi of Progression / Aukahi Energy, and a cameo by Colton Ching (Richard Ha, sorry you couldn’t make it!). The audience got a broad overview of geothermal prospects in Hawaii and an explanation of slim hole test wells; it seemed very well received, as best I can judge from the audience questions.
Our members Murray Clay and Michael Colon presented the results of Ulupono’s statewide survey of renewable energy views. Unsurprisingly costs remain a primary concern for residents. On geothermal energy, some very favorable results: statewide, 47% support geothermal energy, 27% neutral, and only 26% are in opposition.
Gov. Green gave a speech calling for a new, open-minded discussion of energy sources for the state and tasked Mark Glick and HSEO to lead the discussion. He specifically ruled out nuclear energy, gave some praise for the promise of geothermal, and then called for another look at LNG imports. It would be easy to jump on the negatives of LNG, but perhaps more productive to latch onto his interest in geothermal, and the potentially high ROI of a statewide test well program, before we spend billions on an LNG terminal and further entrench our dependence on imported fuels.
Speaking of test wells, Nicole is working towards mobilizing with that state funding allocated this session, and we hope to have more news in the next month.
Lastly, join me in welcoming Peter Sternlicht of Sustainable Energy Hawaii as an additional RIG Champion. His organization shares many common goals with Geothermal Rising, and Nicole and I are glad to have a leader who is an outspoken and respected member of the big island community.
Peter and I will be organizing pau hana events this summer in Hilo and Honolulu – dates to be announced soon!
Mahalo,
Keil
