Geothermal assets can be explored for public benefit

By Robbie Cabral, Patricia Brandt and Mililani Trask

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 29, 2012

~~<p>This session the Legislature is considering a number of energy-related bills. It is clear that something has to be done to make power more affordable for the people of Hawaii. The challenge lies in determining what is the best way forward and ensuring that our body of laws reflect industry knowledge. Recent articles have suggested that OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) is the best solution to Hawaii's energy needs. Another points to wind. These may seem cheaper to start up but neither has the proven reliability of geothermal. But geothermal needs to be done right.</p>
<p>I ka wa ma mua, ka wa ma hope. Those of us who lived through prior bungled efforts to rally the community around the idea of drawing on Pele's energy, know firsthand how important it is to be mindful of where we come from in order to move forward.</p>
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This session the Legislature is considering a number of energy-related bills. It is clear that something has to be done to make power more affordable for the people of Hawaii. The challenge lies in determining what is the best way forward and ensuring that our body of laws reflect industry knowledge. Recent articles have suggested that OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) is the best solution to Hawaii's energy needs. Another points to wind. These may seem cheaper to start up but neither has the proven reliability of geothermal. But geothermal needs to be done right.

I ka wa ma mua, ka wa ma hope. Those of us who lived through prior bungled efforts to rally the community around the idea of drawing on Pele's energy, know firsthand how important it is to be mindful of where we come from in order to move forward. Login for more...