Editorial: Hawaii could do better on energy

Years ago Hawaii set off boldly down a green-energy path that’s now defined as a 100-percent-renewable-energy policy. That’s why its placement as No. 16 on a state scorecard for energy efficiency seems underwhelming.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy report, released last week, tracks individual states’ progress toward energy-efficiency goals. Hawaii ticked down one spot in rank over last year’s scorecard, lagging in some steps that, once taken, could help the state advance toward its goals.

Brian Kealoha is executive director of Hawaii Energy, a state-sanctioned organization that promotes energy efficiency. He sees the state boosting investment in energy programs as key to doing better.

The state ranked 34th for its investment in energy efficiency, amounting to less than 1 percent of Hawaii’s electricity revenues. High-scoring Massachusetts had invested 8 percent, by comparison, so clearly some small states do commit.

Even so, Hawaii still managed to rank No. 6 in energy savings, which is encouraging: We seem to get a big bang for our buck.

Kealoha also wants the state to adopt minimum efficiency standards for household appliances, as California has done.

“This is very important for low-income customers who rent,” he said. “Many landlords will purchase the cheapest appliances without regard to energy usage since they are not responsible for the energy bill.”

Picking up the pace toward that renewable-energy future would help a lot of present-day working families struggling to get by.