The State of Hawaii and the City of Honolulu have both made a commitment to double their energy efficiency by 2015. It will cost the two governments an estimated $300 million to complete the various energy saving projects, but could add as many as 5,000 new jobs to the economy. Energy efficiency improvements are expected to take place at all of the state's airports, prisons, and jails, as well as throughout the University of Hawaii-Hilo campus' 30 building. The City and County of Honolulu plans to conduct changes at the Board of Water Supply headquarters and their wastewater treatment plants and other locations. All the above projects should save the state and city of Honolulu an additional 50 million kilowatt-hours of energy per year.
Chief Executive Officer of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii, Karen Nakamura, stated that she was very happy to hear about the news and feels that these additional clean-energy jobs will provide a much needed boost to the construction industry. Nakamura stated, "The construction industry still has more than 20 percent of its workforce unemployed. With the amount of unemployment, it would be good to see more clean-energy jobs, which create opportunities for construction workers who deal with building insulation, installation of more efficient air conditioning and windows, plumbing and more." However, Nakamura cautioned, "Some state departments take years to get the projects out. It's really frustrating."
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 6-13-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
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