Rejection of biofuel plan is a huge setback for isles

By Jay Fidell

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Oct 25, 2011

~~<p>Local biofuel is the latest target in the war against renewables, and now the state Public Utilities Commission has issued a ruling based on its concern that biofuel will cost too much. Is that concern valid or shortsighted? Will it take us forward or back?</p>
<p>In 2010, Hawaiian Electric Co. sought to obtain competitively priced biofuel. It chose Aina Koa Pono as the best qualified and negotiated a biofuel purchase agreement for 16 million gallons annually for 20 years at a fixed price. This would create 300 construction jobs and 100 operational jobs and resurrect agriculture in Kau, on Hawaii island.</p>
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Local biofuel is the latest target in the war against renewables, and now the state Public Utilities Commission has issued a ruling based on its concern that biofuel will cost too much. Is that concern valid or shortsighted? Will it take us forward or back?

In 2010, Hawaiian Electric Co. sought to obtain competitively priced biofuel. It chose Aina Koa Pono as the best qualified and negotiated a biofuel purchase agreement for 16 million gallons annually for 20 years at a fixed price. This would create 300 construction jobs and 100 operational jobs and resurrect agriculture in Kau, on Hawaii island. Login for more...