Officials Look To Reduce Hawaii's Oil Use By 70 PercentRenewable Energy Effort Target Date Is 2030POSTED: 8:26 pm HST January 28,
2008 HONOLULU -- Gov. Linda Lingle said getting Hawaii off oil is the most important thing her administration can do.With that said the governor on Monday signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to develop clean, renewable energy sources.The goal is to reduce Hawaii's use of oil by 70 percent over the next two decades.Hawaii has abundant sources of renewable clean energy. From the waves that crash on the island shores, to the winds that can drive wind turbines, the tropical sun that beats down on the islands, geothermal energy and other sources that may be harnessed through technological advances.However, Hawaii is dependent on oil and has the highest gas prices and electricity rates in the nation."We simply have to take kind of giant strides to enable us to make significant progress. Today is one of those giant strides," Lingle said.On hand were lawmakers, landowners, investors, leaders in technology and energy developers. The goal is to integrate renewable energy like solar, wind, and advanced technologies into existing systems.The assistant secretary for renewable energy praised Hawaii as an ideal location to make these changes."It is the most pristine natural paradise that we have, and the place that is most blessed with the potential for cost effective affordable, abundant, available renewable resources," said Andy Karsner of the Department of Energy.The Hawai’i Clean Energy Initiative will plan for several projects in order to achieve the government's goals by 2030.Here is a list of some of the goals provided by the Lingle Administration:
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