Issue Position: Energy

Issue Position

As your former Mayor, Lorraine initiated permits, working with the State, to establish the first Geothermal Energy Facility on our island.

As lead negotiator of the Senate, chair of the Economic Development Committee and later, Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, Lorraine helps create and establish legislation of the NET ENERGY METERING PROGRAM and the establishment of the RENEWABLE ENERGY PORTFOLIO, the first for our state. The Legislature took serious note of the problems posed by skyrocketing gasoline prices and adopted number of measures to reduce the State's dependence on fossil fuels by promoting thre development of renewable energy in the State.is

The development has expedited alternative energy projects such as wind, solar, hydro and geothermal to help reduce our dependency on oil, and establish partnerships with our business community, ranchers, farmers and entrepreneurs to encourage new business ideas, especially "green" high-tech and agriculture-tourism jobs.

We love the beauty of our environment, our diverse cultures, and our aloha spirit. We must elect a leader who is sensitive to the ecosystem and our way of life. Lorraine Rodero Inouye is that leader. As the Senate's chief negotiator, she fought hard to pass the "Bottle Bill" and now millions of cans and beverage containers are being recycled each year, being diverted from our landfills.

Lorraine supports:

The Global Warming Solutions Act aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020
Continuous funding for retrofitting public buildings to increase energy efficiency
Funding for the Natural Energy Lab Hawaii Authority
PAY AS YOU SAVE (PAYS) to assist businesses and homeowners in converting to solar water heaters
Geothermal energy production which has reduced our dependency on foreign oil

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