Kona Renewable power isn’t always on ADVERTISING You are right. “Things don’t add-up” because we didn’t have all the information. We can’t store electricity. The politicians, tree huggers, green freaks and global warmers didn’t explain that the wind doesn’t always
Renewable power isn’t always on
You are right.
“Things don’t add-up” because we didn’t have all the information. We can’t store electricity.
The politicians, tree huggers, green freaks and global warmers didn’t explain that the wind doesn’t always blow, the sun doesn’t always shine, soooo, HELCO has to run its generators all the time to compensate for these periods when we are waiting for renewable power to renew.
Jerry Goedert
Kona
Freedom to choose must remain
Why is it a political issue whether or not birth control in any form should become a legislative issue?
As usual, those in politics want to control everything.
In the case of birth control, neither the church nor politicians should dictate what an individual should do. If a woman decides she doesn’t want to have children and wants to take some form of contraception, it should be her choice. If she wants to terminate a pregnancy this also is her choice. When it comes to raising a child or children and providing them with food, medical and shelter, it will always end up with the mother or father.
Why should legislators get involved in something so personal? Where is our freedom to choose?
We all want freedom which we have fought for throughout history. Why should this be any different?
Letting church or the government decide just takes away from individual freedom of choice.
Colleen Wallis
Kailua-Kona
Roadblocks put up on installing solar
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 that 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 that HELCO has so many ways to delay and even prevent citizens from doing this. This has to be stopped.
Tim Doyle
Kona
