Legislators seeing energy Morita’s way

The Legislature seems to be firmly grasping the idea that hydrogen, not oil, is the fuel of the near future for the state.

That’s fine, finally, for state Rep. Mina Morita (D-12th District) of Hanalei, chairwoman of the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee.

But while she has taken up the energy issue as her major legislative focus at the urging of some of her colleagues (during orientation sessions, veteran legislators convinced her to focus on one issue and learn as much about it as she could), her cause is now part of the House majority package.

That gives her initiatives in this area more weight, as most bills in the majority package stand the test of time and scrutiny from the House, Senate and, finally, Governor Ben Cayetano.

With OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) again talking about production cuts to keep prices at a certain level, and the cost of a barrel of oil between $20 and $25, Hawai’i can’t afford not to look at alternative fuel sources, Morita feels.

Promoting a hydrogen future means coming up with integrated plans, outlining strategies to move in that direction, and “sending serious signals to business” of the state’s intent to shed dependence on fossil fuels and the uncertainty about those fuels’ future availability and delivery to the state — something Morita has preached for several years.

Morita also has introduced legislation that would, if enacted, establish a framework for the state Public Utilities Commission to deal with electrical cooperatives, such as the Kaua’i Island Utility Co-op which last year made an offer to purchase Kaua’i Electric but was rejected by the commission.

Bills on maintaining irrigation systems on former Amfac Sugar Kaua’i lands, and to eliminate liability for county lifeguards manning state beaches, have also been introduced or supported by Morita.

Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).