Hawaii Lawmakers Distance Cable Bill from Taint of Big Wind

[ellisonz]

By Sophie Cocke 02/10/2012

It’s Round 2 for the interisland cable bill.

Last year, legislation to facilitate financing for cables that would connect the islands in a statewide electric grid got bogged down in criticism and never made it out of the Legislature.

But this year, Gov. Neil Abercrombie has thrown his political weight behind a new bill, arguing that interisland cables are a critical step for Hawaii in achieving independence from imported fossil fuels. And state officials are working to distance the legislation from the controversial Big Wind project that helped stall its passage last year.

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Under Senate Bill 2785, a cable developer can be considered a public utility, providing assurance to developers that they will recoup their investment, likely to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and earn an adequate return. Without the bill, attracting financing for the undersea cables could be difficult, and ultimately more expensive for ratepayers, lawmakers say.

More: http://www.civilbeat.com/articles/2012/02/10/14808-lawmakers-distance-cable-bill-from-taint-of-big-wind/

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. Classic funding conundrum

The grid should be a public asset, but its serious money and Hawaii is hurting badly in that department.

[ellisonz]

2. I think I'm going to side...

...with the environmentalists and those on Molokai and Lanai opposed to its construction. If they build it, Big Wind will follow, and I think it's becoming apparent there are better solutions than wind.

I'd like to see more of a focus on bio-diesel, grid efficiency, and the installation of solar panels on Oahu homes and businesses.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. There are marked advantages to having a grid

I understand the risk of Big Wind etc, but that is really up to the state and local governments to keep the vultures out.

The geek in me thinks it is a good thing to have assuming the avarice can be controlled.

[msongs]

3. rooftop solar on all suitable homes and business, not corporate whore energy providers nt