Port Allen Solar Array Ready to Shine - Kauai Island Utility ...

A Message from the Chairman
Nov. 1, 2012, marked the 10th anniversary of the sale of Kauai Electric to Kauaʻi Island Utility
Cooperative. A lot has happened in those 10 years, including a very notable event earlier this year when
KIUC was named Solar Utility of the Year by Solar Power Generation USA. This honor recognizes our efforts
in pursuing solar projects in partnership with private and community organizations.
We are continuing our efforts to develop more solar projects, as well as biomass and hydroelectric power.
We are focused on our goal of generating 50 percent of our power from these renewable sources by 2023.
Now that the election is over, our Government Relations and Legislative Affairs Committee headed by Vice Chairman Jan
TenBruggencate and Directors David Iha and Pat Gegen is gearing up for the upcoming legislative and congressional sessions.
In recent weeks, we have had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye here on Kauaʻi. We also met with U.S.
Rep.­elect Tulsi Gabbard and gave her an update on KIUC’s progress on renewable energy and our involvement with federal
programs. State Sen. Mike Gabbard, who chairs the Energy and Environment Committee, was also briefed on our legislative
concerns at the state level.
On Sept. 19, we met with Gov. Neil Abercrombie and had the opportunity to brief him on our activities and our plans, particularly
in the areas of solar and hydroelectricity. It was a positive meeting and the governor expressed his support for our initiatives.
His visit was followed by a meeting with the Public Utilities Commission on Sept. 27, headed by Chairwoman Mina Morita. She
was joined by Commissioners Lorraine Akiba and Michael Champley and Consumer Advocate Jeffrey Ono. Like the governor,
they commended our aggressive efforts in pursuing clean energy for Kauaʻi.
As we approach the end of the year, on behalf of the board of directors, I want to wish each and every one of you, our
members, a happy and safe holiday season.
Teofilo “Phil” Tacbian, Chairman
Board of Directors
Board Actions
Below is a summary of some of the actions taken by the KIUC board in August, September
and October 2012. Agendas and minutes of board meetings are available at www.kiuc.coop
August 28 meeting
Board unanimously approved work order in the amount of $350,000 for the consulting firm SAIC for rate and regulatory consulting and study.
Board unanimously approved spending $110,000 on fire suppression equipment for Port Allen battery energy storage system.
Board unanimously accepted loan review committee recommendations approving $150,000 from revolving loan fund for Kaua‘i
Brewers LLC and $125,000 for JC Linen.
Board unanimously approved the setting of March 23, 2013, as the date for the director election.
September 25 meeting
Board unanimously approved moving forward with 12­megawatt solar project on Grove Farm land at Koloa.
October 30 meeting (Hanapepe)
Board unanimously authorized spending $1.2 million additional to cover changes to scope of work at Kealia Beach pole realignment
and underground utility project. Total cost of project is $3.6 million.
Board unanimously revised construction work plan to shift money committed by Rural Utilities Service from purchase of a steam
turbine generator to construction of solar project at Anahola.
Board voted 5­4 to direct staff to review feasibility of offering on­bill financing for members who purchase energy­saving systems such
as a solar hot water. In favor: Smith, Bain, Murashige, Baldwin, Gegen.
10 KIUC CURRENTS