Hawai‘i Energy Policy Forum

Administration

HDOT Supports Hawaii Energy Policy Forum’s Mission

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) is a member of the Hawai‘i Energy Policy Forum whose mission is to enable informed decisions to advance Hawai‘i’s clean energy future by convening a collaborative network of stakeholders for fact finding, analysis, information sharing and advocacy.

Forum members at the general meeting wanted to know: What has changed since COVID-19?

From the HDOT perspective, the pandemic has exposed the fragility to provide safe and sustainable transportation that preserves economic prosperity of the travel industry, distribution supply chains and public transportation.

The dynamics of this disease leaves governments defenseless to political pressures that seeks to keep Hawai‘i safe prior to reviving our economy.

Over the course of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i, HDOT has enabled the State’s lockdown, quarantine program and other policies that restrict the movement of people and goods.

In doing so, HDOT has loss millions in revenues that sustains its special funded operations at airports, harbors and highways. HDOT was also involved with community

COVID-19 testing. Despite these challenges, HDOT remains vigilant to stimulate the economy with capital improvement projects, solicitation of Federal funds along with polices that aim to improve Hawai‘i reliance on food, energy and other imports.

By: David Rodriguez

First and foremost, is to ensure workers safety. Personal protective equipment, adherence to health and safety guidance and COVID-19 testing are necessary to maintain operations and services to the public.

HDOT’s application for Federal Transit Authority funds of $16.7M was disbursed for the continuance of public transportation services provided by the Counties including paratransit for those with special needs.

Maintenance, construction and innovative pilot projects like connected traffic control systems are being completed in a safe and expeditious manner with minimal impacts to traffic flow.

Demand for oil globally remains very low and there are concerns at Hawai‘i’s refineries. Especially in the local production of jet fuel.

ENERGY

continued from page 4 However, with the upcoming approval of pretravel testing and the development of the safe travel application.

HDOT is very excited to welcome air travel back with its thermal screener and is confident that safeguards are in place to access traveler health information with proof of a negative COVID-19 test result when the State re-opens tourism on October 15, 2020.

HDOT defines sustainability along three dimensions:

1) Revenue: stable, reliable revenue sufficient to maintain Hawai‘i’s transportation system like a utility. 2) Stakeholders: transparent and fair transportation funding sources for Hawai‘i’s residents. 3) Energy: transportation funding sources and uses that align with the state’s environmental protection and energy efficiency policies and goals.

To resolve HDOT’s sustainable funding vision, The Road Use Charge demonstration project continues to collect data and shall issue a report that outlines the possible replacement of the current vehicle fuel tax for the State’s consideration.

Last year’s peer group at the Hawai‘i Energy Policy Forum drilled down details, discussing components for a successful clean transportation procurement process, and what gaps or placeholders will need to build the framework for procurement documents.

HDOT is electrified to pilot a project to electrify Hawai‘i’s government fleet vehicles with the power to procure electric charging and vehicle goods and services. This energy savings performance contract expedites the electrification of transportation by eliminating the high costs associated with electric charging stations and vehicle ownership. HDOT along with the Hawai‘i State Energy Office and Hawai‘ian Electric Company and other members of the Forum are working to improve electric vehicle infrastructure by installing electric vehicle supply equipment that supports electric vehicle charging stations.

HDOT, Highways Division is committed to lead this endeavor by first identifying charging locations suitable to the power grid like the department’s base yards prior to the deployment of its electric vehicles. Internal implementation plans are in discussions.

We recognize the State’s dire fiscal situation and hope to demonstrate associated costs savings in our vehicle replacement program during the life of the contract.

“Electrifying government fleet vehicles and reducing the consumption of fossil fuels used in transportation aligns with our clean energy goals and helps bring Hawai‘i closer to eliminating our dependence on imported fuels,” said Governor David Ige.

To learn more about the Hawai‘i Energy Policy Forum and their vision to toward a pono energy system that sustains a healthy, and prosperous, and resilient Hawai‘i in the face of climate change, please visit: manoa.Hawai‘i.edu/hepf/.

Administration

Aerial view showing many of the 24,000 solar panels installed throughout the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).