Solar farms proposed by HECO will help meet energy goals

As the clock ticks on taking meaningful action on climate change, so, too, does an opportunity to secure substantial amounts of low-cost renewable energy for Oahu residents.

We commend the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for recently approving four solar farms totaling 135 megawatts. These projects can now move forward to create hundreds of jobs, boost solar power by around 65 percent on Oahu, and move us closer to energy independence.

But we are concerned that the PUC continues to defer its decision on three more solar farms, representing another 80 megawatts of clean power.

All seven projects are among the lowest-cost renewable energy projects in the state, and we should take advantage of that pricing to get as much clean energy onto Oahu’s grid today. While fossil fuel prices fluctuate, the solar farms come with a stable, low fixed price for up to 30 years — just like a low-rate, fixed 30-year mortgage on a home.

All together, these projects will generate enough electricity to power approximately 70,000 homes — roughly doubling solar power on Oahu. Approving these projects will not eliminate the need for more residential rooftop solar; it could just help reduce the cost of electricity generated on the grid.

When the commission first deferred taking action on these projects earlier this summer, its concern was that Hawaiian Electric hadn’t provided enough supporting information on the many benefits these projects had to offer ratepayers, the economy and the environment. Since then, the utility stepped up and answered the PUC’s questions. Those answers confirmed the merits of all seven projects.

But, the PUC has recently rejected one solar farm, and it looks like the three pending projects could suffer the same fate. We don’t understand why, when support for solar power is so broad.

President Barack Obama’s “Clean Power Plan” unveiled last week rightfully sets the nation on a path toward curbing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel power plants and using more clean energy. It comes just weeks after Gov. David Ige made Hawaii a clean energy leader by signing legislation targeting 100 percent renewable electricity. These policies can’t come soon enough. NASA and NOAA each reported that June 2015 was the warmest June on record, surpassing the prior record set in June 2014. With record-setting warm water in the Pacific and extreme drought and fires in places like California, some are asking whether historians will look back on 2015 as the year we finally seized our opportunities to take action on climate change.

Much like the world’s climate problem, there is an urgency to act on clean energy. To lock in the fixed prices, the projects must be completed by the end of next year to qualify for a 30 percent federal tax credit. But the magnitude of this opportunity goes beyond the federal tax credit. Further uncertainty will send the wrong message to forward-thinking investors and businesses about energy investment in Hawaii. By approving all seven projects, the PUC would be sending the following message: Bring your clean energy ideas to Hawaii. We’re open for innovation.

Hawaii’s proposed solar farms are clean energy, available today, which can help us lead the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Let’s not gamble and lose affordable clean power today, generated locally from the sun, for the mere possibility of something better tomorrow. Doubling the island’s solar power is a responsible investment for the state economy, for the environment, and for our children.

We urge the commission to say, “Yes,” to the remaining three solar farms. It’s about time — and time is running out.

ON VACATION: “On Politics” columnist Richard Borreca is off; he returns Friday.