Lawmakers serious about energy reform

Letters to the Editor
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Sunday, April 9, 2006

A column by Rep. Cynthia Thielen ("Lights flickering on energy reform," Star-Bulletin, April 6) attempts to politicize the idea of energy independence for Hawaii. In the column, Thielen creates the false impression that hope has died for energy reform measures this year.

The goal of freeing Hawaii from its dependence on fossil fuels is one we all can share. So far this year, Hawaii's lawmakers have managed to avoid making energy bills into partisan issues. Thielen's column distorts the facts and hurts our chances for energy reform.

Final decisions on bills under review at the Legislature are made in joint House-Senate conference committees in the closing weeks of the session. The process ensures that bills are given a thorough review by both houses. It also means that the most workable provisions in bills under review frequently resurface in the language of other bills, as lawmakers pinpoint the most effective vehicle.

We are working hard to continue the solar energy tax credit, mandate energy efficiency in state buildings and change the way utilities are regulated. We cannot continue our 77 percent reliance on fossil fuels for energy production -- and this year we have far greater consensus than we have ever had before. The people of Hawaii deserve legislative relief from our fossil fuel dependency -- and this year, energy reform is an idea whose time has come.

Sen. J. Kalani English
Chairman, Senate Energy, Environment and International Relations Committee

Original article: http://starbulletin.com/print/2005.php?fr=/2006/04/09/editorial/letters.html

This letter was also published in the Maui News on April 19, 2006.

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