Categorized | Business, Energy

Hawaii picks up national energy savings award

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The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s (DBEDT) State Energy Office took home a top award on behalf of the State of Hawaii in the 2012 “Race to the Top” energy savings per capita competition, recently presented by Energy Services Coalition (ESC) in Nashville, Tenn.

The ESC “Race to the Top” ranks states by investment per capita in energy savings performance contracting, which enables building owners to use future energy savings to cover upfront costs for energy saving projects, eliminating the need to dip into capital budgets.

“This honor is recognition that Hawaii is on track to meeting our energy goals and taking control over the high cost of powering our state,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie said. “My administration remains committed to reducing our dependence on imported oil and stabilizing energy costs, both of which are essential to establishing a sustainable economy for the people of Hawaii.”

The State of Hawaii has invested $132.25 per capita, an increase from its previous figure of $117.09 per capita. Ohio came in second with a $108.58 investment per capita, with Kansas, Idaho and Massachusetts rounding out the top five.

The award recognized Hawaii for its outstanding commitment to energy efficiency, environmental stewardship and economic development through Energy Savings Performance Contracting.

“We are honored to have been nationally recognized for our energy efficiency investments at public facilities, which is a key part of achieving our 70 percent clean energy goal by 2030,” said Richard Lim, Director of DBEDT. “Such an investment also provides economic benefits in energy cost savings and the creation of clean energy jobs.”

The State Energy Office has been providing technical assistance on performance contracting to state agencies and counties since 1996. Hawaii’s investment of $171.3 million will offer an estimated savings of more than $306 million over the life of the contracts and is expected to create or maintain 3,650 jobs.

“We are moving forward on other energy savings performance contracting projects to further increase efficiency and reduce costs at State government buildings and facilities,” said Mark Glick, Energy Administrator of DBEDT.

ECS is a national nonprofit organization composed of a network of experts who collaborate to increase energy efficiency and building upgrades through energy savings performance contracting.

— Find out more:
www.energy.hawaii.gov

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