Letters to the Editor: September 15, 2020
Wake Up PUC
From a priority perspective, the PUC’s mission entails providing effective oversight of regulated entities and addressing the future needs of the state’s utility system in an economically, operationally, and environmentally effective manner. In the case of Honua Ola Bioenergy, a September 15 letter to the editor claims the PUC did its job. Really?
If the PUC’s mission is to decide which projects that are in the best interest of Hawaii’s energy future, the Commission failed by rejecting Honua Ola, a 99% operational project with a staff who trained years to operate it. The facility could enable Hawaii to achieve its 2045 100% renewable energy goal and reduce dependence on fossil fuels using advanced, state-of-the-art technology.
Honua Ola was originally approved by the PUC to replace fossil fuel plants like Keahole, which costs up to $0.30 cents/kWH, compared to Honua Ola’s a price of $0.22/kWH.
Yes, Mr. Holmes, solar appears cheaper, but you get what you pay for. And firm renewable power from biomass is available 24/7, rain or shine, night or day, unlike intermittent power (i.e., wind and solar, which cannot provide continuous power, even with battery storage). Solar is an important part of Hawaii’s portfolio of renewable energy technologies, but a stable grid also requires firm power sources to avoid grid instability, which can result in blackouts.
A scientific opinion study conducted in May 2020 found 88% of Hawaii Island residents support the completion of the Honua Ola project. With the PUC’s recent rejection to reconsider Honua Ola, the PUC failed once again to put their mission first and do what’s best for the public and the environment, ignoring the state’s economic and renewable energy goals and deepening distrust and wariness of state regulators. Wake up PUC, Hawaii’s economic recovery and environmental outlook are your kuleana.
Source: https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2020/09/23/opinion/letters-to-the-editor-september-23-2020/