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Hawaii Joins EPA in Boosting Clean, Efficient Energy Use - State Aims to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Release Date: 02/12/2007
Contact Information: Dave Ryan, (202) 564-4355 / [email protected]

(Washington, D.C. - Feb. 12, 2007) Hawaii today agreed to work with EPA in developing its own action plan for clean energy.

As the newest partner in EPA's Clean Energy-Environment State Partnership, Hawaii joins 14 other states working with EPA to develop strategies to promote cost-effective energy efficiency, clean distributed generation (consumers generating heat / electricity for their own needs via on-site production), renewable energy, and other clean energy sources that can provide air quality and other benefits. Hawaii currently imports most of its fuel but through its work with the partnership, it hopes to reduce its dependence on these imports through increased energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources.

"I am pleased to welcome Hawaii to the Clean Energy-Environment State Partnership," said Bill Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "Each new partner increases our ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen our energy independence, and improve air quality."

"The state of Hawaii is at the forefront of clean energy and environmental initiatives. This partnership will strengthen the state's position as we undertake new programs promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy sources," said Maurice Kaya, Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Under the partnership program, launched in February 2005, partner states agree to work with EPA to develop and implement a state-specific Clean Energy-Environment State Action Plan that contains one or more clean energy-environment goals. EPA provides partner states with a comprehensive technical assistance package of planning, policy, technical, analytical and information resources, and works to establish linkages to other federal programs that support clean energy-environment strategies. Partners also benefit by learning from their peers about successful programs and policies at work in other states, identifying themselves as environmental and clean energy leaders, and receiving EPA recognition for the environmental benefits that result from their efforts.

Hawaiian officials signed a Memorandum of Agreement with EPA at the National Association of State Energy Officials winter meeting in Washington, D.C., today.

The other states in the partnership: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah.

Learn more about the Clean Energy-Environment State Partnership: epa.gov/cleanenergy/stateandlocal/partnership.htm