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COUNTY COUNCIL Resolution RESOLUTION REQUESTING
THE MAYOR TO PREPARE, THROUGH THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AN ENERGY
SUSTAINABILITY PLAN FOR KAUA‘I COUNTY WHEREAS, every
activity, family, business and organization within the WHEREAS, every aspect
of human life depends on energy, including the production and processing of
food; the pumping of water and sewage; the operation of businesses, health care
facilities, government and nonprofit organizations; the manufacturing of
medicines and fertilizer; the transportation of people and goods; the
sustaining of the economy and jobs; and the flourishing of culture and arts,
sports and leisure time activities; and WHEREAS, the future
prosperity and survival of residents and the economy of Kaua‘i depend on the
availability of a sufficient, consistent, affordable and environmentally sound
supply of energy; and WHEREAS, Kaua‘i’s
reliance on a finite supply of a fossil fuels, in the midst of an unprecedented
and growing worldwide demand, puts Kaua‘i’s families, economy and way of life
at great risk to ever rising prices and the possibility that fuel supplies
could be insufficient to meet basic human needs sometime in the future; and WHEREAS, Kaua‘i, in
its dependence on fossil fuels, is also sending millions of dollars each year
out of the local economy; and WHEREAS, Kaua‘i’s
dependence on fossil fuels is also releasing thousands of tons of greenhouse
gases and other pollutants into the atmosphere annually, thereby contributing
to global warming and its detrimental impacts to global ecosystems which is
already beginning to affect Kaua‘i through frequent storms and flooding and sea
level rise; and WHEREAS,
sustainability means meeting current essential human needs for energy, food and
water without diminishing the ability of future generations to meet their
essential needs, or as one K-12 school in Hawai‘i has said, “(creating) a
future where there can be enough for everyone, everywhere, forever.” This reflects the Hawaiian concept of
“konohiki” which restricted use of essential natural resources in order to
provide for all; and WHEREAS, a
well-produced Kaua‘i County Energy Sustainability Plan could provide an
energy “road map” that would strategically
guide policies; initiatives; and public, private, and collaborative
actions toward achieving a way for present and future generations to live
sustainably; and WHEREAS, it is the
responsibility of government to convene the community to develop and implement
such a plan, consistent with the protection of public health and safety and for
the promotion of the general welfare; and WHEREAS, the Kaua‘i
County Council is willing to appropriate money for the development and
implementation of such a plan; now, therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF KAUA‘I, STATE OF BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the plan shall include, but not be limited to: 1.
A baseline energy
analysis and a holistic examination of Kaua‘i’s energy system, including
electricity generation and transportation. 2.
Identification of
existing mega-trends in the field of energy development, distribution,
consumption, and price, with analysis of the applicability of these trends to
local conditions and potentials. 3.
A clear description
of current demand and future projected energy demands. 4.
Identification and
discussion of major issues. 5.
Analysis and
recommendations for policies, strategies, actions, protocols, funding and the
political and administrative infrastructure necessary to achieve the goals and
objectives identified in the plan, which shall include, but not be limited to,
maximum energy efficiency, effective demand reduction, and development of renewable energy sources
beginning with the lowest cost, and environmentally sound and technologically
feasible opportunities. 6.
Measurable indicators
to be reviewed for one-year, three-year, five-year, and ten-year goals and
objectives. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in the
preparation of the Kaua‘i County Energy Sustainability Plan, the Office of
Economic Development shall consult and work with the following stakeholders,
including, but not limited to: 1.
Kaua‘i
Island Utility Cooperative, Kaua‘i Economic Development Board, Apollo Kaua‘i,
Malama Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i Community College, Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, and other
community, business and government representatives; 2.
Academics
and other experts in such fields as power production, energy efficiency,
renewable and alternative energy sources, planning and environmental studies
and economics and industrial ecology; 3.
The
public through community meetings, Website posting, and other public outreach
efforts. BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Director of Economic Development is requested to
submit periodic progress reports to the Kaua‘i County Council, a draft of the
Kaua‘i Energy Plan within nine (9) months of passage of this Resolution, and
the final Kaua‘i County Energy Sustainability Plan within fourteen (14) months
of the passage of this Resolution. BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that certified
copies of this resolution be forwarded to Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste, Beth
Tokioka, Director of Kaua‘i Office of Economic Development, Governor Linda
Lingle, Kaua‘i’s State Legislators, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Kaua‘i Economic
Development Board, Apollo Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i Community College, Kaua‘i Chamber of
Commerce, and Malama Kaua‘i. Introduced
by: JOANN A. YUKIMURA JAY
FURFARO
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