David Y. Ige

Clearway: Utility-scale solar and battery project.

The bottom line: The Ige administration has doubled the state’s renewable energy for electricity and set Hawai‘i on a path that reduces our dependency on fossil fuel.

 Electricity is something we all take for granted until the power goes out. But for Governor Ige and his team, the vision has been much bigger. The path to a clean energy future depends on making smart choices. The Ige administration has:

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  New laws promote state electric vehicle use.

  Set the direction for the state – In 2015, the governor said no to LNG (liquefied natural gas) as a “bridge fuel” and no to the out-of-state company Next Era because he wanted to ensure local decision-making committed to renewable energy.
  • Made a commitment to clean energy – The 2015 state legislature passed a law committing Hawai‘i to 100% clean energy electrical generation by 2045 — the first in the nation.
  • Led by example for the nation and the world -The 2016 World Conservation Congress and Hōkūleʻa’s 2017 global voyage established Hawai‘i as a leader on the international stage. In 2017, Hawai‘i became the first state to commit to the Paris Climate Accord goals.

  

  Gov. Ige signs bills to promote electric vehicle adoption in support of the state’s clean energy goals.

  • Delivered on promises for the future – Hawai‘i has implemented energy-saving measures at state airports, highways and harbors as well as at schools and the UH system; begun converting state fleets to electric cars; and increased the number of EV charging stations to make it easier for people to drive electric vehicles. On O‘ahu, the state also closed the last coal plant, stopping 1.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gases that were emitted annually.

Read more in the November/December Capitol Connection newsletter.

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