BeyondKONA: Energy
Not since the Industrial Age has the opportunity for change in energy been as great as it is today. There is now a transformation from dirty, extraction-based fossil-fuel energy fuels now imported into Hawai’i, but choices we make as to acceptable “renewable energy” options will have positive or negative consequences and costs to Hawaii’s population and environment.
One thing is certain: $5 trillion dollars annually in global taxpayer subsidies of the fossil fuel (dirty energy) sector is unsustainable, and by any measurement, economically and environmentally, a costly and false economy. (2016-17 World Bank – IMF reports).
Zero emissions energy sources are driving new cost and performance efficiencies and environmental benefits for Hawai’i and that can propel the state’s transformation to a clean energy driven global economy. Hawaii’s abundant sun, wind, water, and geothermal energy assets are Hawaii’s mana.
- California orders utilities to add 6 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2032by Diana DiGangi on February 27, 2026 at 3:06 pm
“Eligible new resources must be either zero-emitting or otherwise eligible under the [renewables portfolio standard] program,” according to the California […]
- Efficiency first: A fast track to capacity in the era of hyperscalersby Paige Knutsen and Erin Kempster on February 27, 2026 at 3:00 pm
Prioritizing demand-side management before committing billions to new infrastructure mitigates risks for utilities and their customers, according to a pair of […]
- PSEG sees investment opportunity as NJ eyes adding in-state generationby Ethan Howland on February 27, 2026 at 1:04 pm
A bill was introduced this week in the New Jersey Legislature that would require a solicitation for gas-fired generation.
- Illinois’ new renewables plan compensates for OBBBA lossesby Diana DiGangi on February 26, 2026 at 4:43 pm
The Illinois Commerce Commission approved a long-term renewable resources procurement plan with contract-level provisions aimed at reducing financial barriers […]
- House passes bills to weaken DOE’s appliance efficiency program, repeal home rebatesby Robert Walton on February 26, 2026 at 4:00 pm
Consumer advocates lamented the votes. “Efficiency rules are incredibly popular because they save families money on their utility bills,” said Dylan Jaff […]
- More interregional transmission could save consumers billions: studyby Ethan Howland on February 26, 2026 at 2:25 pm
However, East Coast generators would see reduced revenue, giving them an incentive to oppose new transmission lines, researchers said.
- Xcel must begin pole replacement in Texas as court weighs Smokehouse Creek fire lawsuitby Emma Penrod on February 26, 2026 at 2:00 pm
An injunction requires Xcel Energy to inspect no fewer than 35,000 poles per year and replace those considered a fire risk within a court-mandated time […]
- Governors are promising lower power bills. Here’s the only credible path to deliver.by Jigar Shah and Arnab Pal on February 26, 2026 at 2:00 pm
If we treat every new megawatt like it must be served with new poles, wires, substations and peakers, we will lock in another decade of rate shock, write […]
- Massachusetts’ least-cost 2050 peak power mix is combustion-free: reportby Brian Martucci on February 25, 2026 at 6:02 pm
But a top official with a regional independent power producer group said the focus now, amid rising demand, should be on “energy addition, not retirement or […]
- NRG has ‘zero interest’ in speculative new capacity build: CEOby Diana DiGangi on February 25, 2026 at 3:20 pm
“We are not going to do anything that doesn't meet our unlevered [12-15%] hurdle rate that we've announced, full stop,” said CEO Larry Coben.
- Approval for Solar Farm and Energy Storage System Secures Green Energy for Yorkshireby Electric Energy Online on September 8, 2025 at 10:56 pm
- PSC Lowers Costs for Distributed Solar Industryby Electric Energy Online on September 8, 2025 at 10:56 pm