Jeff Mikulina, Blue Planet Foundation’s executive director whose goal is to establish an energy independent Hawaii, said “A ban causes the utilities to readjust their thinking. If they don’t have the option of this mix of biomass and fossil fuel, then they’ll be forced to look at more attractive alternatives like solar, wind and wave power.”
No new power stations are proposed by Hawaiian Electric, Hawaii’s primary utility firm, even though the island of Kauai’s utility plans to construct a combustion turbine.
Versions of the bill were approved by both the state House and Senate, but the portions of the measure concerning the power plant ban are expected to postpone in conference committee.
