July 08, 2011
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 8, 2011
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Governor Abercrombie signs critical energy efficiency measure for on-bill financing into law
Blue Planet Foundation will assemble public-private partnership that will help fund, investigate and implement an effective on-bill financing program for Hawai‘i
HONOLULU—This afternoon Governor Abercrombie signed House Bill 1520, a measure that could ultimately eliminate the restrictive upfront cost of energy-saving appliances and solar power, into law. The on-bill financing legislation directs the PUC to investigate a program that would allow residents to pay for purchases of energy-saving appliances and solar power using the cost savings directly on their electric bills.
“The biggest obstacle that residents face when it comes to adopting clean energy is the upfront cost, and on-bill financing eliminates that,” said Blue Planet Foundation Executive Director Jeff Mikulina. “This transformative measure opens the benefits of clean energy to everyday folks who are eager to adopt energy efficiency solutions.”
The audience broke out in thunderous applause when the Governor announced his decision at the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum’s Clean Energy Day symposium co-sponsored by Blue Planet Foundation. Last week the Governor had indicated he was considering a veto of the measure, citing the state's fiscal situation and suggesting that the well-intended but unfunded study fell short of the aggressive action he sought.
Blue Planet Foundation, a champion of the bill since its introduction, quickly committed to bringing together a group of public and private partners to fund a thorough, deliberate study that would consider how the on-bill program could be structured to be most cost-effective, and subsequently, enable the PUC to successfully implement such a program to immediately accelerate the state's clean energy goals.
“If this partnership can come together as envisioned, a docket on on-bill financing can be opened right away and we can determine whether and how an on-bill financing program can be designed so that more people can participate in Hawaii’s clean energy future,” Governor Abercrombie told the crowd of 250 clean energy advocates. “Working together, we can advance our clean energy goals with the kind of urgency and determination that these times demand.” The governor acknowledged on-bill financing as a useful tool that will create thousands of jobs and make energy efficiency more accessible to Hawai‘i residents, and thanked Blue Planet Foundation for its commitment to bringing resources together to create a working solution.
“Blue Planet commends Governor Abercrombie for his leadership in recognizing the opportunity that on-bill financing affords—and for acting with urgency,” added Blue Planet Foundation's founder Henk Rogers. Support for the measure came from residents across the state, from college students to homeowners who rallied to move the bill through the legislature.
Mikulina pointed out that HB1520 was the sole energy proposal that could help residents lower their cost of living.“This policy offers people a choice: Pay less for power, or keep paying more for pollution," Mikulina said. "Hawai‘i can't afford not to enact this legislation.”
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