LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s board of directors on Tuesday approved the signing of final agreements with Free Flow Power Corp. to pursue the joint development of several small hydroelectric projects. “These agreements are an important step to ensure
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s board of directors on Tuesday approved the signing of final agreements with Free Flow Power Corp. to pursue the joint development of several small hydroelectric projects.
“These agreements are an important step to ensure that any hydroelectric projects developed on Kaua‘i are owned and controlled by the people of Kaua‘i and operated in a way that serves their best interests,” KIUC CEO David Bissell said in a prepared statement.
Bissell said that as a member-owned cooperative, KIUC is the natural choice to explore the viability of such projects, engage the community to discuss projects deemed viable and shepherd these projects through the development process.
“We’ve said from the beginning of this process that these resources belong to the people of Kaua‘i,” he said.
The final agreement moves KIUC one step closer to moving Kaua‘i off of fossil-fuel electricity generation, a KIUC press release stated. The cooperative will now take ownership of development projects initiated by Free Flow Power last year, “solidifying (their) relationship” announced in January.
Under the terms of these agreements, FFP has transferred ownership of six previously announced hydroelectric development projects to KIUC, the utility’s communication office said. KIUC will oversee the development process of these and potentially several more projects “in order to ensure that the interests of the people of Kaua‘i are protected.”
“KIUC recognizes that the island’s urgent need to reduce reliance on fossil fuel-based power must be balanced with agricultural, environmental, cultural, and recreational interests in order for a project to be successful,” the release stated. “FFP will continue to serve as development advisor, providing KIUC and the people of Kaua‘i with access to a team of nationally recognized experts in their respective fields.”
The six preliminary permit applications FFP filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission within the last five months include: Wailua River Hydroelectric Project, Wailua Reservoir Water Power Project, Hanalei River Hydroelectric Project, Kitano Water Power Project, Makaweli River Power Project and Kekaha Waimea Water Power Project.
FERC on March 2 approved one of the six permit requests — the Wailua River Hydroelectric Project. The other five permit requests are still pending.
“KIUC likes the FERC process because it provides a clear structure for carefully reviewing each project in an orderly and transparent fashion,” Bissell said. “It is important to KIUC that our members be engaged and aware throughout the development process and have an accessible system for communicating with us. It is also important for our members to be able to review documents, provide public comment, and be kept up to date on where we are in the process. Our member-elected board of directors, along with the FERC process, will ensure that only projects in the public interest will be developed.”
EXECUTIVE
Chairman: Teofilo “Phil” Tacbian
Vice Chair: Steve Rapozo
Secretary: David Iha
Treasurer: Allan Smith
STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE
Chair: Ben Sullivan
Members: Carol Bain, David Iha, Jan TenBruggencate, PeterYukimura
FINANCE & AUDIT
Chair: Allan Smith
Members: Stu Burley, Jan TenBruggencate, Peter Yukimura
MEMBER RELATIONS
Chair: Steve Rapozo
Members: Carol Bain, Ben Sullivan, Jan TenBruggencate
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
Chair: David Iha
Members: Stu Burley, Steve Rapozo, Allan Smith
POLICY
Chair: Peter Yukimura
Members: Carol Bain, Stu Burley, Ben Sullivan
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Chair: Peter Yukimura
