Ige to Discuss Renewable Energy at Washington Post Forum

Bill Signing of Act 97. Photo courtesy Office of the Governor.

By Maui Now Staff

Governor David Ige is traveling to Washington DC where he will speak about Hawaiʻi’s renewable energy efforts during a “Powering Cities” forum hosted by the Washington Post on Tuesday, June 23, 2015.

During his visit, the governor will also meet with federal officials on affordable housing, transportation and tourism.

Gov. Ige was invited by the publication to speak about Hawaiʻi’s commitment to clean energy, and a recently passed law that sets a goal of generating 100% of its electricity sales from renewable energy resources by 2045.  By signing Act 97 into law, Hawaiʻi becomes the first in the nation to set a 100% renewable portfolio standard for the electricity sector.

Gov. Ige will join other elected officials, government innovators and business leaders at the one-day forum. Currently, the US consumes the equivalent of 18% of the world’s total primary energy usage. Speakers will discuss and debate policies and programs across the country related to clean energy, battery and energy storage, the grid, energy efficiency, and innovations in oil and gas.

Speakers at the event include: Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton; Thomas Fanning, chairman, president and chief executive, Southern Company; former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour; Carol Browner, former administrator, Environmental Protection Agency; Austin Blackmon, chief of environment, energy and open space, City of Boston; Diarmuid O’Connell, vice president, business development, Tesla; and Kate Burson, chief of staff to the chairman of energy and finance, New York State.

Powering Cities is part of a series highlighting innovative ideas from cities, states and businesses outside the Beltway. The event will be live-streamed at the governor’s website, with Gov. Ige scheduled to speak at around 7:30 a.m. HST on Tuesday, June 23, 2015.

While in Washington, D.C. the Governor will also meet with Hawai‘i’s congressional delegation and various federal officials to discuss issues that include: easing air access for international travelers to Hawai‘i; renewable energy; affordable housing; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress, which will be held in Hawai‘i in 2016.

Accompanying Gov. Ige on this trip is Communications Director Cindy McMillan and two security officers. The cost of the trip is estimated at $10,400.

The Governor will be in Washington D.C. from Monday, June 22 until Thursday, June 25, 2015.