Environmental Group and Solar Industry Rally for the Veto of Anti-Solar Bill SB 2510

News Release from HSEA, June 7, 2022

HONOLULU, HI:  The Hawaii Sierra Club, the Hawaii Solar Energy Association (HSEA) and numerous local solar companies, climate action advocates and concerned citizens will rally at the State Capitol building on Wednesday June 8, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. to urge Governor Ige to veto SB 2510.

If it becomes law, SB 2510 would immediately halt or slow solar and battery installations by arbitrarily capping the amount of any single renewable energy source to 45% per island. Most islands are either at or rapidly approaching this cap for solar energy. For Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, this requirement would immediately stall any additional solar energy deployment. The bill puts thousands of local jobs at risk and consumer energy costs would likely increase.

“The Governor’s veto of SB 2510 is essential to prevent a 180-degree turn in the wrong direction for Hawaii energy policy” said Rocky Mould, HSEA Executive Director, “There is no reason to limit solar, especially when solar and battery installations lower consumer energy costs and improve grid reliability.”

According to Wayne Tanaka, Director of the Hawai’i Sierra Club, “SB 2510 is a threat to Hawaii’s clean energy future and will slow down our transition away from fossil fuels at the very time that we need to accelerate renewable energy adoption.  Allowing SB 2510 to become law would be a terrible mistake.”

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Founded in 1977, the Hawaii Solar Energy Association is a Non-Profit organization and is comprised of installers, distributors, manufacturers, auditors, and financiers of solar water heating and photovoltaic systems. The majority of its member companies are locally owned and operated, making HSEA the leading voice of Hawaii’s solar industry.

IM: Rally to Protect the Hawai`i Renewable Energy Revolution  

HNN: Hundreds of solar company employees rally against controversial energy bill