ENERGY POLICY

Policy Statement

It shall be the policy of Sierra Club, Hawai`i Chapter, to support energy conservation as a first priority for energy planning. We also support a balanced and environmentally benign approach to energy resource development in Hawai`i.

Position Statements

1.Support the concept of renewable energy sources. This would promote resource use in a manner that would allow sustained long-term energy production.

2.Support the position that the necessary transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources be made with the preservation of environmental quality in mind.

3. Support the position that baseline studies for health, air and water quality be done and that adequate environmental standards be in place before proceeding with energy projects.

4. Support the position that communities and concerned citizens must have an early and direct role in the planning and decision making processes of energy development.

5. Support the position that energy producing projects should proceed only if they are not developed at the expense of the irreplaceable resources of Hawai`i.

6. Support decentralized and diversified small scale energy production whenever possible.

7. Support the position that environmental degradation resulting from energy production or use is a subsidy that must be recognized as a social cost to be included in evaluating the feasibility of the energy form.

This Energy Policy was approved by the Sierra Club Hawai`i Chapter Executive Committee at its quarterly meetings held April 22-24, 1983.

A Geothermal Energy Policy was approved by the Sierra Club Hawai`i Chapter Executive Committee at its quarterly meetings held January 19-21, 1990.

An Undersea Electrical Transmission Cable Position Statement was approved by the Sierra Club Hawai`i Chapter Executive Committee at its quarterly meetings held February 57, 1988.