Energy

Despite a surplus of LNG, the Department of Energy (DOE) is delaying the authorization of export licenses....

Ratepayers could be on the hook for as much as $3.5B of HECO's so-called "stranded costs" if SB120 becomes law....

"It doesn't make sense to exclude the USW on the governor's committee when we represent the majority of workers who will be affected by the refinery closure." -- USW

...Hawaii also is looking to boost its use of natural gas, and it will need a Jones Act exemption as well. It's time to strike on this issue now!

...summary of the major project components, including the gas pipeline, gas treatment facilities and the liquefaction, storage and terminal facilities....

The electricity that is produced from natural gas is 43 percent the cost of solar power, 68 percent the cost of wind power and 57 percent the cost of biomass....

More than 46 million pounds of waste was generated from solar companies in California between 2007 and mid-2011....

"...a 2011 Nissan Leaf that's a bargain to drive in Washington — $28.29 for 1,000 miles — is pricey in Hawaii, where those 1,000 miles would cost $97.21."

...state tax credit expenditures could reach $1.4 billion for residential units alone....

...the United States has more than a century’s worth of natural gas beneath its soil....

The tax credit for photovoltaic systems will be incrementally phased down from 30 percent of the actual cost to 15 percent over the next 5 years....

The long term economy of Waste to Energy (WtE) plants is very good....

“The Commission granted Hawaiian Electric and C&C a waiver from competitive bidding based on, among other conditions, demonstrated ‘site control.’"

Tesoro announced they were shutting down their refinery .... The question on everyone’s mind—what does this mean for Hawai‘i?

• Saturday, February 2 at 9:30 a.m. Hawaii Time
• Wednesday, February 6 at 7 p.m. Hawaii Time

In October 2012, HECO again raised the limit to 75 percent of minimum load (which roughly translates to 23 percent of peak....HECO's proactive approach, fundamentally, aims to move beyond arbitrary limits....

Comparison: Highest RETAIL electric rate on Mainland -- Connecticut at 19.5 cents per kwh

As part of the settlement, HELCO will withdraw its request for a 4.2 percent or $19.8 million rate increase in 2013. HECO and its subsidiaries will also reduce by $40 million the amount being sought for improvements to two major projects....

Request for Proposals (RFP) for 50 MW of Dispatchable Renewable Geothermal Firm Capacity Generation on the Island of Hawaii....

...

Hawaii Renewable Energy Projects Directory....

In an unfolding plot that is part “The Sopranos,” part “An Inconvenient Truth,” authorities swept across Sicily last month....

"...we have a pretty good mess on First Wind and it is looking like it is going to get a lot worse and quickly...."

The purpose of the NPC is solely to advise, inform and make recommendations to the Secretary of Energy with respect to any matters relating to oil and natural gas....

...The Gas Company relies on a single source for its SNG: the Tesoro oil refinery....

...schools that enter into these contracts and see their electric bills drop will actually get to keep the savings as a result....

Should the Legislature require the state Public Utilities Commission to approve energy projects that further the state’s renewable energy goals even if it costs consumers more?  -- NO 75%

...rising cost of petroleum fuels coupled with strict new international air pollution regulations for ships are causing ship owners and operators to look seriously at the use of LNG ....

"the PUC rarely denies rate increases.” 

Why? Because transportation infrastructure deployment lags demand by decades....

Qualified KIUC Members may be nominated no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 1, 2013....

"Tesoro does not know what potential buyers might ask of state of Hawaii or federal officials."

...a South African company, announced its intention to build a 96,000-barrel-per-day gas-to-liquids plant in Lake Charles, LA....

Hawaii's largest oil refinery is closing, precisely as we predicted it would....

Wind subsidies cost $52.48 per one million watt hours generated....nuclear power costs $3.10. Hydropower only costs 84 cents and natural gas costs only 63 cents.

...the situation would be much worse for the refineries as we add another 25-30 kb/d demand cut by introducing LNG into our energy system....

Original warranties on turbines have expired and extended warranty options are not available....

The deal also greatly relaxes the standards for companies to qualify to grab that tax credit.... 

On January 11 & 12, 2013, I Aloha Molokai is hosting our second annual Alternative Energy Festival....

Hawai`i residents join nearly 6,500 others nationwide in saying no to the wind PTC ....

...will increase the average cost of a new car by $3,000 by 2025....

Friday January 11, 2013 at 1pm 

The wind lobby is working overtime to convince Congress to pass an extension before the clock runs out on December 31st....

... cutting wasteful projects is productive and necessary to avoid a nosedive....

Pacific Gas & Electric, the state's biggest utility, will pass on about $700 million in annual costs to people without solar systems ....

Why is this not news in Hawaii? Because First Wind’s local partner is Kamehameha Schools....

While firms can install solar panels for roughly $5 per watt of energy and make a comfortable profit, some firms were charging as much as $7 and $8 per watt….

... Washington Middle School in Olympia, Wash., [was] projected to use 28% less energy. The school consumed 19% more energy ....

...the United States would gain significant geopolitical advantages. For example, it would lower the influence of the Middle East. In addition, the United States would be in a position to challenge Russia's influence in Europe....

...the Sierra Club, represented by Earthjustice, filed a legal challenge in state circuit court to the Hawai‘i Department of Taxation’s recent decision to cut back on tax credits....