Recycle
Recycle
Provide incentives for recycling more aluminum items
Most conscientious people in Hawaii recycle just about everything they can, but why not provide incentives for everyone by getting the whole community to recycle even things like soup cans — anything that is aluminum, not just the soda cans and those that have the HI5 on them?
A regular can of tuna has more aluminum in it than a thin soda can. In fact, any can of corn, beans and tomato sauce weighs more than a soda can. If people were given incentive to recycle all of their cans, it would take away from the burning or however items are disposed of and lessen the stuff in our landfills.
I know the people hired to pay out cash for recyclables would have to pay out bigger sums based on weight of items turned in, but what a savings in the long run for our community and the landfills.
Just a thought, but something I think needs to be considered.
C. Wallis
Kailua-Kona
PV systems
HELCO shouldn’t
make it so difficult
Like other recent writers, I would like to weigh-in on problems we are experiencing with HELCO in our efforts to install a solar electric (PV) system on our home.
In January, we worked with two local solar electric companies to secure bids for a PV system. These companies led us to believe the area we live in was well below the 15 percent maximum for homes using these systems that is allowed by HELCO.
On Feb. 4, we signed a contract to have a PV system installed. On Feb. 10, I received a call from the company we contracted with and was advised that HELCO says our neighborhood is already at, or close, to the 15 percent penetration of PV systems and therefore it is doubtful we will be allowed to install such a system.
Our only option at that point was to give up on the idea or spend an additional $500 for HELCO to conduct a “supplemental review” to determine if we will be allowed to install a PV system. This study can take up to four weeks to complete. We have elected to move forward with this “review,” but there is no guarantee this will result in an approval for our system and, if not, we will be out the $500.
Recently, a representative of a solar electric company told me HELCO is requiring these “supplemental reviews” in about seven out of 10 applications for PV systems. If this is true, it is an outrage.
Not only are we required to put at risk $500, but also delay installation of a system by up to an additional four weeks while HELCO “studies” to determine if it will allow a system at all.
It is a substantial financial decision to install a PV system, but we decided to do it because we want to do our part to help improve the environment. It is absolutely shameful HELCO has so many ways to delay and even prevent citizens from doing this. This has to be stopped.
Tim Doyle
Kona