Wind, Cable on the Table

State seeking public comment

Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism News Release

With Lanai’s wind farm taking a tentative step forward, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) are seeking public comment at meetings on Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Oahu regarding the Hawaii Interisland Renewable Energy Program (HIREP), and the Wind Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).  

A meeting will be held on Molokai on Feb. 3 at the Mitchell Pauole Center at 5:30 p.m.

The EIS reviews possible environmental impacts that may arise from wind energy program development under the HIREP and the range of reasonable options.

“This is an excellent forum for concerned citizens to express their opinions, speak with experts and talk about moving Hawaii towards a brighter energy future,” said Estrella A. Seese, Acting Energy Administrator, State Energy Office.

Both oral and written comments will be considered by DOE and DBEDT.  Requests to speak at any of the public scoping meetings should be submitted to Mr. Allen G. Kam, Esq., AICP, HIREP-Wind EIS Manager, on or before Jan. 28, 2011, by: e-mail to hirep@dbedt.hawaii.gov, submitting electronic comments on the EIS web page at www.hirep-wind.com, fax to (808) 586-2536, Attention Allen G. Kam, or mail to Allen G. Kam, Esq., AICP, HIREP EIS Manager, State Energy Office, Renewable Energy Branch, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, P.O. Box 2359, Honolulu, Hawaii 96804.

Requests to speak may also be made at the meetings; however, requests received by Jan. 28, 2011, will be given priority in the speaking order.  Additional project information can be found at the project website: www.hirep-wind.com

For more information, contact:

Richard Lim                                  

 Interim Director, DBEDT              

Phone: (808) 586-2355

Anthony J. Como

DOE NEPA Document Manager

Phone:  (202) 586-5935

Anthony.como@hq.doe.gov

Allen G. Kam, Esq., AICP

HIREP-Wind EIS Manager

Phone: (808) 587-9023

hirep@dbedt.hawaii.gov