In 'aggressive' step toward clean energy, Hawaii is closing its only coal power plant
Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY - Wednesday
HONOLULU — Hawaii is getting ready to say goodbye to its only coal power plant on Sept. 1 as part of its "aggressive push to renewable energy," according to the state's top energy official.
The state received its final shipment of coal last week to the AES Hawaii power plant, located on the western side of Oahu, and is looking toward new solar and battery storage energy projects.
"It's the first large fossil fuel power plant that we're retiring," said Scott Glenn, chief energy officer at Hawaii State Energy Office. "The rest of the country is also grappling with this and we don't have the tools that the rest of the country does. ... (As an island chain) we can't reach out to others for help. It's an important step for Hawaii, and I also think it's going to be something that other states look to."
In 2015, Hawaii became the first state to commit to 100% clean energy with a deadline of 2045 – and the plant's closure marks a "very important milestone," Glenn said. Now, 20 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have made clean energy commitments.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/in-aggressive-step-toward-clean-energy-hawaii-is-closing-its-only-coal-power-plant/ar-AA110hb4?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=0957777f55e4db1f8cce3fb22b8b558d
