“We need to think of victims first.Drunk driving kills.House Bill 2847 would put drunk drivers back on the street,” said Representative Lynn Finnegan.
House Bill 2847 would expand the conditions allowed for a conditional license permit to include cases where a drunk driver must drive to school or vocational training, must drive to get personal medical or dental care, or to assist in the care of another person who is unable to drive.It also clarifies when a conditional license permit is permissible for certain commercial drivers.
“I have asked the Governor to veto this bill.Every exception to our license revocation laws weakens it,” said Representative Cynthia Thielen.“What is the sense of implementing an ignition interlock program or mandating tougher penalties for driving under the influence if we enact giant loopholes like this?”
Last Friday, Governor Lingle signed the ignition interlock bill as Act 171.However, this Act will not prevent unnecessary DUI deaths for two years.
According to statistics provided by the State Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office, in 2007 there were 6,345 cases of driving under the influence, and administrative license revocation cases processed.1,146 were repeat offenders.2,424 hearings for conditional license permits were concluded, and 990 conditional license permits were granted at hearings, or 40.8% of all hearings ended up in a conditional license permit being issued.
All House Republicans and four House Democrats voted against the bill.The Governor has until June 23rd to notify the Legislature of bills she intends to veto.
“Unless we have the doctors here in Hawaii, we will have many more victims, meaning people that won’t be able to get health care,” said Rep. Cynthia Thielen.
The Judiciary Chair, Representative Tommy Waters would not hear the Medical Reform bill. ”So I think it’s very short-sighted. Thielen says she is committed to helping physicians stay in Hawaii.
“We have an emergency situation. Physicians know what to do when there’s an emergency; you act,” Thielen said. “I wish legislators would get the same message. We need to act and we need to act now.”
This afternoon, over the objections of myself and my colleague, Rep. Barbara Marumoto (R-19th District), the House Judiciary committee voted to pass out House Bill 2847 from committee.
House Bill 2847 provides a further exception to our drivers’ license revocation rules by allowing those who have had their licenses revoked for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or narcotics to get conditional license permits for personal medical or dental care or to assist in the care of another person who is unable to drive. While I am sympathetic to caregivers and those with legitimate medical needs, this exception further erodes our DUI laws.
With an exception this broad, this proposed legislation is like Swiss cheese with even larger holes. As the House is moving a proposal for ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders and as I and my Republican colleagues continue to push for tougher sanctions against those who drive under the influence, this type of legislation does little to keep our streets safer and reduce the death toll on our roads.
Representative Cynthia Thielen voiced her opposition to House Bill 1972, which requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish and operate a county-wide highway traffic advisory radio system to advise motorists of updated current traffic conditions in any county having a population of greater than 300,000.
Representative Thielen voted no on the chamber floor and stated, “Why do we need to use taxpayer’s money to operate a new radio station when Perry and Price on KSSK do such an excellent job?” ” They have traffic reports every ten minutes,” said Representative Thielen. The Perry and Price morning show has maintained its position as the top-rated “morning-drive show” since 1983.
House Bill 1972 passed its Second Reading and has been referred to the committee(s) on Finance (FIN) with Representative(s) Thielen voting no (1) and Representative(s) Herkes, Manahan, Nakasone, M. Oshiro, Pine, Takumi excused (6).To oppose House Bill 1972 send your testimony to Representative Marcus Oshiro, Chair of FIN at reposhiro@capitol.hawaii.gov or to Representative Marilyn Lee, Vice Chair of FIN at replee@capitol.hawaii.gov.
Governor Linda Lingle acknowledged Representative Cynthia Thielen for her persistence, which led to establishing the need of renewable energy in Hawaii. Australia-based Oceanlinx Ltd. plans to generate 2.7 megawatts of power using offshore hydrokinetic technology in Maui.
When successful, Oceanlinx would be Hawai’i’s first commercial provider of electricity from ocean waves. Hawaiian Electric Co., which owns the Maui utility, said it’s still working out the final details of a memorandum of understanding with Oceanlinx.(more)
Representative Cynthia Thielen explains the importance use of wave
energy for Hawaii’s future.
Governor Linda Lingle and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant
Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alexander Karsner
today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the
Hawai’i Clean Energy Initiative, a long-term partnership designed to
accelerate the transformation of Hawai’i into one of the world’s first
economies based primarily on clean energy resources.
The goal of the Hawai’i Clean Energy Initiative is to use renewable
resources – such as wind, sun, ocean, geothermal, and bioenergy – to
supply 70 percent or more of Hawai’i’s energy needs by 2030. This
will reduce the state’s dependence on imported oil and help bring
energy price stability to Hawai’i consumers.
In a joint Republican Caucus Package Press Conference, Senator Sam Slom addresses tax reduction ideas and solutions for Hawaii citizens. Representative Cynthia Thielen speaks on the need for renewable energy in Hawaii.
Fact Sheet On Renewable Energy In HawaiiPresent Energy Uses In HawaiiHawaii’s Present Energy Situation:
In its 2006 Annual Report, the Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism’s Energy Resources Coordinator identified Hawaii as the most oil-dependent of the 50 states.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2006,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc06.pdf pg 1)
Nearly 77% of the state’s electricity and over 99% of its transportation fuels are produced from petroleum fuels.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2007,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc07.pdf pg 1)
Nearly 89% of Hawaii’s total energy is imported petroleum.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2007,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc07.pdf pg 2)
Together, imported fossil fuels-coal and oil-represent almost 94% of Hawaii’s energy consumption.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2007,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc07.pdf pg 2)
Costs Of Present Energy Situation:
Hawaii’s residents pay among the nation’s highest prices for electricity and fuel in the nation.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2007,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc07.pdf pg 1)
ØResidential Electricity (Cents per kwh-September 2007):oState Average - 23.51oNational Average - 10.94oHawaii vs. Nation – 114.9%(U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/table5_6a.html)ØGasolineoState Average – $3.36oNational Average - $2.99oHawaii vs. Nation – 12.4%(AAA Fuel Gauge Report, December 20, 2007))
Consumers spent an estimated 6.17 billion for energy in 2006-12% more than in 2005.This is primarily due to high oil prices.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2007,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc07.pdf pg 2)
The Need For Renewable Energy:
Energy—its supply and use— is critical to Hawaii’s economy. How much fuel is imported and how efficiently it is used impacts each resident’s personal life and business activities. A stable energy supply is essential to continued prosperity.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2006,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc06.pdf pg 1)
Every barrel of oil saved translates to more dollars available in the local economy, in addition to the many environmental benefits.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2006,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc06.pdf pg 1)
Present Renewable Uses:
In 2006, renewable energy production increased by 9.8% during 2006.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2007,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc07.pdf pg 2)
In total, renewables provided nearly 19.2 trillion Btu in 2006(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2007,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc07.pdf pg 2)
In 2006 Hawaii’s total primary energy consumption was 318.7 trillion Btu(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2007,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc07.pdf pg 2)
Renewable Energy Sources Breakdown Solar Thermal Energy System:
In “solar thermal” systems, the sun heats up a fluid. The most common example is a solar water heater.
An estimated 80,000 single family homes, multi-unit dwellings and institutional facilities in Hawaii are served by solar water heaters.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/renewable/solar)
90% of solar water heating system owners said their systems were performing as well or better than they expected.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “Hawaii Renewable Energy Tax Credit,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/taxcredits06.pdf)
85% said their water heating systems had never required any major repairs(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “Hawaii Renewable Energy Tax Credit,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/taxcredits06.pdf)
83% of solar water heating system owners say their utility bill savings meet or exceed what they expected before they brought the system.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “Hawaii Renewable Energy Tax Credit,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/taxcredits06.pdf)
Solar water heating systems can save the average home owner about 30-50% on monthly utility bills.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “Hawaii Renewable Energy Tax Credit,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/taxcredits06.pdf)
Wind Energy:
Energy from the wind used to produce electricity.
Wind energy systems are one of the most cost-effective homebased renewable energy systems. (U.S. Department Of Energy, “Small Wind Electric Systems: A Hawaii Consumers Guide, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/42033.pdf)
Depending on the wind resource, a small wind energy system can lower electricity bill by 50% to 90%, to help avoid the high costs of extending utility power lines to remote locations, prevent power interruptions, and it is nonpolluting.(U.S. Department Of Energy, “Small Wind Electric Systems: A Hawaii Consumers Guide, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/42033.pdf)
Although wind energy systems involve a significant initial investment, they can be competitive with conventional energy sources when accounting for a lifetime of reduced or avoided utility costs. (U.S. Department Of Energy, “Small Wind Electric Systems: A Hawaii Consumers Guide, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/42033.pdf)
There has been a huge increase in wind production due to electricity from new facilities, Kaheawa Wind Power, and Hawaii Renewable development.Result is that wind generated 69 billion Btu in 2005, rising to 846 billion Btu in 2006.
Despite these increases, Wing Generated Btu is still less than 1% of total primary energy.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2007,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc07.pdf pg 2)
Accomplishments and proposal to increase wind power usage in the state:
ØThe Pakini Nui wind farm at South point on the Big Island began exporting electricity to HELCO in 2007. The facility is capable of generating 20MW.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2007,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc07.pdf pg 10)ØThe state’s largest renewable energy plant-a wind farm of up to 400 MW-has been proposed for Lanai.Electricity from the facility would be exported to Oahu via submarine cable, and the wind turbines could provide up to 20% of Oahu’s power requirements.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2007,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc07.pdf pg 10)Photovoltaic:
In “photovoltaic” (PV) systems, solar cells convert the sun’s light (not its heat) into electricity. A common example is a solar cell on a solar-powered calculator.
The U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) notes that Hawaii is among the best five markets for PV in the nation.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “Photovoltaic Energy In Hawaii,”http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/pv-report06.pdf pg.2)
Although hard data is not available, it is believed that the County of Hawaii has thousands of photovoltaic systems, mostly in remote subdivisions not serviced by the electric utility, more than any other comparable area in the U.S. (Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “Photovoltaic Energy In Hawaii,”http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/pv-report06.pdf pg.2)
Data on PV costs and performance in Hawaii are very limited. In Hawaii, only a relatively few PV systems, primarily but not exclusively those installed with electric utility sponsorship, have been monitored to document their electricity output. (Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “Photovoltaic Energy In Hawaii,”http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/pv-report06.pdf pg. 2)
The U.S. Department of Energy, in one of its publications, asserts that PV prices are cost-effective in Hawaii today:
ØIf utility electricity rates are $0.20 per kilowatt-hour, the breakeven PV price is given as $9.70 per watt14.ØResidential electricity rates are already above that level on all islands except Oahu, and the typical installed cost of a residential grid-tied PV system appear to be near or below the USDOE’s breakeven point. (Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “Photovoltaic Energy In Hawaii,”http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/pv-report06.pdf pg 11-12)
In its report on photovoltaic, DBEDT made the following observation. State incentives to accelerate the adoption of solar electric technologies will be very helpful in reducing this barrier, particularly on Oahu where rates are lower than they are on the other islands. Raising the ceiling for photovoltaic tax credits will make this incentive more meaningful, given typical installation costs for both residential and commercial systems. (Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “Photovoltaic Energy In Hawaii,”http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/pv-report06.pdf 12-13 )
Accomplishments and proposal to increase PV usage in the state:
ØThe largest solar power plant in Hawaii was proposed for the island of Lanai in 2007.A contract o build the 1.5 MW PV facility has been signed and approvals are being sought.The plant could provide 30% of Lanai’s electricity. (Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2007,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc07.pdf pg 10)ØRooftop PV systems for thousands of military homes are being installed on Oahu; combined they will total 6 MW over the next decade.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2007,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc07.pdf pg 10)ØNiihau Island School became the state’s first solar-powered educational institution through the installation of a 10.4-KW PV system.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “State Of Hawaii Energy resources coordinator Annual Report 2007,” http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/erc07.pdf pg 10)Wave Energy:
Energy from ocean waves, tides, or currents can be used to produce electricity.
Wave power is among the technologies that can contribute to the goal of reduced dependence on imported oil.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “Wave Energy In Hawaii,” April 2006, http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/wave2006.pdf)
Wave power was acknowledged to be an emerging technology well suited for Hawaii in a 2002 (Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “Wave Energy In Hawaii,” April 2006, http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/wave2006.pdf)
According to a study completed in 1992, the annual wave energy resource off the northern shores of the Hawaiian Islands far exceeds the electricity demand of all but one of the major islands. (Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “Wave Energy In Hawaii,” April 2006, http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/wave2006.pdf)
ØThe exception is Oahu, which has a large population and high electricity demand which is comparable to two-thirds of the available wave energy resource.(Department of Business Economic Development And Tourism, “Wave Energy In Hawaii,” April 2006, http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/publications/wave2006.pdf)
“We need to think of victims first. Drunk driving kills. House Bill 2847 would put drunk drivers back on the street,” said Representative Lynn Finnegan. 