Maui Tomorrow is fostering discussion on the Big Wind Project by reprinting this article by Mike Bond of I Aloha Moloka’i:
As the Pattern Energy opinion piece (Hawaii well-suited for Big Wind project, Star-Advertiser, July 11) by Mr. Parquet mentions me personally I am obliged to respond. His Big Wind development group and their backers stand to make many millions (billion?) of dollars from this scheme, thus it is in their interest to pretend it is good for us. But they are not willing to risk it unless it is guaranteed at a high return by Hawaii electric customers (that’s us), and paid for by U.S. taxpayers (that’s us too), while they make all the profits.
If Big Wind is such a financially marvelous project, let the developers risk their capital, not place it on the backs of ratepayers and taxpayers. Let them raise all the private funding, not based on Power Purchase Agreements more costly than those for oil or coal generation.
But even if they could pull off a financial miracle and make Big Wind work, it’s still crazy. Hawaii is the nation’s most gifted state for solar. At Big Wind’s underestimated cost of $3 billion we could put solar PV on 165,000 rooftops. If, as some estimates indicate, Big Wind’s cost could exceed $5.5 billion, that would pay for rooftop solar on more than 300,000 Hawaiian homes and create over 2,000 Hawaiian jobs, as compared to the handful Big Wind would create.
Mr. Parquet states that Big Wind would allow Molokai and Lanai the same electricity rates as Oahu, without admitting that the project will drive up Oahu rates 25-30% just to pay for the cable. He promises the islands “community benefits” without admitting the huge loss in tourism income and property values that Big Wind will entail.
The reports Mr. Parquet cites represent the rosiest of options, not the truth. The truth is that Big Wind is the most dangerous potential financial disaster in Hawaii’s history, a desecrator of Hawaii’s beauty, culture, heritage, and animals. It is a Maginot Line meant to shore up HECO’s and Castle & Cooke’s floundering finances – at a time when many folks can’t afford another 30% on their electric bills, nor can we all afford another $2 billion tax handouts to rich, powerful companies.
Mike Bond
Molokai
Comments(10)
don't tell no-one says:
08/07/2011 at 1:14 pmFREE SOLAR ENERGY clothes line and clothes pins The best idea yet……
frank leary says:
08/06/2011 at 10:32 pmPhotovoltaic Electric Panels have crashed in price in the last 2-3 years and still going down. PV panels have gotten even better and more powerful, and more manufacters building them. Prices lower, quality higher, and more to choose from. By far, the best is here. Installed on Oahu’s houses,etc.today, and be creating electricity today,not years from now
frank leary says:
08/06/2011 at 8:40 pmI hope and pray that Maui Tomorrow Foundation will investigate this proposed Big Wind Farm and Big Cable plan and render their valued opinion to the public and citizens of Maui County as a disconnected 3rd party. Solar PV on Oahu- or windmills scattered over Lanai and Molokai connected by an undersea Cable connected to Oahu ?
frank leary says:
08/06/2011 at 8:19 pmDavid Parquet stated he would pack uo and leave if Molokai opposed the big wind project.99% opposed. Now he’s back..Why ? Is he trying to divide the people of Molokai- families, friends,neighbors, by offering benefits- he’s apparently trying to persuade a few people to approve of this fiasco that he wants to build. What it appears he realy wants is the government guarranteed loan and the subsidy that amounts to $ 23.37 per megawatt hour..20,000,000 megawatts per island. That’s more than I can count….
frank leary says:
08/06/2011 at 1:16 pmDavid Parquet,Pattern Energy- wants us all to be his CASH COW and learn to say MOO…I suggest instead we say-NO
frank leary says:
08/06/2011 at 11:28 amThe logical solution instead of this massive plan of destruction by Pattern, is simply SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC electric systems installed on roofs,etc on OAHU… No damage to our islands or environment and less garbage on our planet. More electricity-sooner, safer, and efficent. 2-3 billion dollars buys a whole lot of PV systems. Mike is right…God Bless you Mike……..
Kalele says:
08/06/2011 at 8:00 am“Maui Tomorrow Foundation is a 501c(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to responsible planning and sound management of Maui’s Natural and cultural resources” Mahalo Mike for continuing to get the information out there. For those who are truly interested in “responsible planning and sound management…natural and cultural resources” as stated above, needs to read the information that is readily available about the potential impacts of this Big Wind project. It is time to educate ourselves and begin to identify feasible and appropriate alternative energy sources that do not include widespread descecration and elimination. The right answers are out there, but no not include schemes that are merely designed to profit a few at the cost of the many. Think about it, it just doesn’t make any sense.
Maui Tomorrow says:
08/06/2011 at 10:55 amJust a clarification: Maui Tomorrow Foundation is fostering a discussion of Big Wind by posting articles on BOTH sides of this controversy. Mike Bond is not affiliated with Maui Tomorrow. He is, rather, an important voice from the Moloka’i organization, I Aloha Moloka’i, which opposes the large wind project which will use a substantial portion Moloka’i land to power Oahu’s energy demand.
Maui Tomorrow favors renewable energy sources so long as they are done in a way that benefits the all the citizens and ratepayers.
That appears to be where the controversy arises in the Big Wind discussion. Will it benefit the people of Maui County or will the negatives outweigh the positives?
frank leary says:
08/06/2011 at 10:40 pmYOU ARE SO RIGHT… Let’s hear more from you..We need accurate information, and more wisdom. Keep it up and thank you
Anonymous says:
07/11/2011 at 3:44 pmLOL! Moloka’i will have the same rates as Oahu when Oahu’s rates are raised to pay for this corporate welfare!