Issue Position: Clean Energy

Issue Position

A Champion for Clean Energy

Developing our nation's clean energy economy is not only a goal for Brian--it's his passion. He was the face of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, and now he is parlaying his experiences in Hawaii to make meaningful changes to energy policy in the United States Senate.

Early in his career, Brian supported energy efficiency standards and tax incentives for improvements. He repeatedly supported the extension of the state's solar water heater tax credit while serving in the legislature. He was also an original proponent of the state's net energy metering legislation to allow residential and small commercial customers with solar, wind, biomass, and hydroelectric systems of 10 kW or less "net" their energy. This bill was passed in 2001, and by October 2012, over 14,000 new systems were installed.

Brian also believes that Hawaii's state government should lead by example. He supported legislation that called on state agencies to purchase the most energy efficient vehicles that still met the needs of their programs, required new government buildings to be up to LEED standards, mandated state agencies to use ENERGY STAR equipment, and directed state agencies to develop energy efficiency and alternative fuel goals for public fleets. By making institutional changes, Brian helped to change the way that people in Hawaii thought about their energy consumption.

With these successes under his belt, Brian was able to aim higher as Lieutenant Governor. And he succeeded again. By 2012, he had become the committed and visionary leader of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, even being referred to as the "Ambassador of Energy" due to his hands on approach to implementing clean energy strategies. Now, Hawaii is on track to achieve the highest Renewable Energy Portfolio in the nation with 40 percent by 2030.

In the Senate, Brian is working on developing federal policies that will move our nation towards a clean energy economy. For example, he partnered with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Henry Waxman on draft carbon-pricing legislation that would require large carbon pollution emitters to pay for the pollution they emit.

Without a doubt, Brian has positioned himself to be a strong voice for clean energy in the years to come. He is serving as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Water and Power, having received commendation from Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Senator Ron Wyden, for demonstrating leadership and drive on clean energy.

Brian will continue to lead on clean energy, because there is no greater issue for the next generation than energy independence and climate change.

Source