There have been a number of letters to the editor critical of the proposed purchase of Kaua’i Electric by Kaua’i Island Utility Co-operative (KIUC). Sue Dixon’s editorial (05/14/00) was a fine distillation of the issue. She’s right: We should support
There have been a number of letters to the editor critical of the proposed
purchase of Kaua’i Electric by Kaua’i Island Utility Co-operative (KIUC). Sue
Dixon’s editorial (05/14/00) was a fine distillation of the issue. She’s right:
We should support this initiative.
I have noticed the disturbing tendency
on Kaua’i: An eagerness to launch indignant attacks upon anyone who transcends
the stage of endless discussions and actually tries to do something
constructive.
Building something useful is hard work but tearing down is
easy.
It seems that some people cannot resist the temptation to rip up
what someone else is trying to accomplish.
That is not to say that
constructive criticism is not a good thing — it is. But the operative word is
“constructive.” We need to come together and help each other perfect such
projects, not try to dismantle them just because we think we might be able
to.
The members of the Board of Directors of KIUC are not in this for any
material benefit to themselves. This has been made explicit. They have strong
track records as supporters of our community and this venture is simply the
latest — and, perhaps, grandest — manifestation of this impulse.
Sure,
the Board should be chosen by the ratepayers, but that’s coming. As for the
argument that the price is too high, the bid that was accepted was the minimum
needed to secure the deal.
For me, this co-operative venture boils down to
two things: Greater access to federal funding and community control. As an
isolated, rural community, a locally-owned co-operative is likely to be
eligible for a variety of federal programs.
And community control means
we get to decide whether it’s advisable to bury transmission lines, explore
alternative energy sources and look for other means to utilize this resource to
benefit the people of Kaua’i.
Make no mistake: If those who are attacking
KIUC succeed in derailing this venture, another corporation, probably HEI, will
make this purchase and we, the people of Kaua’i, will lose out.
Not that
there’s anything wrong with HEI; there isn’t. HEI does a lot for the people of
our state and here on Kaua’i. But their primary responsibility must remain (as
it must with any corporation) with its shareholders. The primary responsibility
of KIUC will be us.
Scott N. Giarman
Kilauea
