The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative’s board of directors has approved a resolution that commits the utility to reaching out to the community as it considers developing new hydroelectric power projects on Kauai. 

The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution yesterday. 

The utility’s CEO, David Bissell, says it the island’s need to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels must be balanced with other interests including cultural, agricultural, fishing, hunting and tourism. 

He says the utility is beginning a long period of gathering input from interested parties to make sure it achieves that balance. 

Bissell says hydroelectric power appears to offer the lowest cost and long-term best value for the cooperative’s members, compared to other potential renewable energy technologies.