Wind Power News: Hawaii
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These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted.
Customer may fund initiatives for HECO
The average energy consumer could be required to help pay for Hawaiian Electric Co.’s alternative energy source initiatives, such as wind, solar and wave power.
Under a proposal before the state Public Utilities Commission, HECO and its subsidiaries, including Maui Electric Co., would be able to charge each customer about $1 a month to defray the costs involved in building infrastructure for alternative energy projects, said Hawaiian Electric spokesman Peter Rosegg.
The renewable energy infrastructure surcharge would …
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Community forum hosts talks about Molokai wind-farm
Renewable energy is a Hawaiian value in that it aims at harnessing the gift of nature without depleting it. But is the greater community willing to tap Molokai’s steady wind resources at the sacrifice of building a large scale wind farm?
For the past several weeks, it has been the mission of Molokai youth to gauge the community’s acceptance of the potential wind farm. Forums have already been held in Kilohana, Kaunakakai, Ho`olehua and Maunaloa.
“Ask the …
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Community group votes to pursue UPC Wind concept
At a community meeting last night on Molokai, something unusual happened: instead of a tense, emotional atmosphere plagued with the worries and hardened positions from the past, more than 80 community advocates came to a consensus: they are in favor of considering the proposed UPC Wind project. Two hours of discussion headed by activist Walter Ritte lead to a vote, “do we support the concept of supporting [UPC Wind?].” It was unanimous.
Molokai Community Service Center …
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Wind-energy company interested in Molokai Ranch
The announcement that Molokai Ranch will shut down next week is causing some scrambling.
The owners of Kaheawa Wind Farm on Maui said they will try to bring community groups together soon to arrange a purchase of the ranch.
The wind farm is willing to pay $50 million for the right to put windmills on parts of the open land.
However, unless community groups organize and find other investors, the $50 million will not be enough.
Gov. Linda Lingle …
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Lanai wind farm plan includes conservation project
Castle & Cooke wants to begin tests for a wind farm on Lanai and study how to prevent any resulting loss of endangered native bird species.
The two-year test project calls for the installation and operation of six weather towers strung with wires to keep them upright — lines posing a risk to flying birds.
Castle & Cooke official Timothy Hill said the towers, about 50 meters in height and 8 inches in diameter, will be painted …
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Maui wind farm files PUC complaint
A Maui wind farm operator has filed a complaint against Maui Electric Co. and its parent, Hawaiian Electric Co., with the state Public Utilities Commission.
UPC Hawaii Holdings, which runs the Kaheawa Wind Power farm above Maalaea, is asking the commission to investigate the process the utility used in selecting a second wind farm project for the island.
UPC Hawaii had proposed expanding its current 20-turbine farm, which supplies 30 megawatts of power to Maui Electric, …
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Goal set for Hawaii to greatly expand renewable energy
Hawai’i would get at least 70 percent of its energy from a renewable source by 2030, under a joint state and federal initiative announced today.
The state and the U.S. Department of Energy established the “Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative,” a partnership to put the state on a path to supplying most if its energy needs from “clean energy,” such as wind, solar, ocean, geothermal and bioenergy.
“This innovative, unprecedented partnership builds on the progress the state has …
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Kaheawa Wind Power announces plans for additional turbines
Wind farm representatives clarify issues and misconceptions about Kaheawa Wind Power project, and announce plans for another 14 turbines to be built adjacent to the current site. “The whole world is watching to see how far we can go.”
Ever since construction began on 20 massive wind turbines in the Kaheawa Wind Power farm in the pastures above Ma‘alaea Point in the fall of 2005, they have been a source of adulation, curiosity and controversy. Environmentalists …
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Hawaiian Electric to share wind, bird findings
Hawaiian Electric Co. said it plans to share its research on wind conditions and bird activities in Kahuku with interested wind energy developers.
HECO said it is willing to offer the data free to encourage renewable energy development in Hawai’i.
The information includes wind data collected at Kahuku sites in the 1980s and in 2007, along with an avian radar study.
The Honolulu Advertiser
14 November 2007
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Molokai Ranch says it's not for sale, despite $50M pledge
A nonprofit group trying to raise money to buy out Moloka’i’s largest private landowner and stop a controversial luxury home development has received a $50 million pledge from a company interested in building a wind power farm on the island.
UPC Wind, a Massachusetts-based firm that operates the Kaheawa Wind Power plant on Maui, said it would spend $50 million to help the Moloka’i Community Service Council acquire the 64,000 acres of the Friendly Isle owned …
