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HECO says switching to natural gas-fired electric generation wouldn’t be a major issue. Kind of makes you wonder why the state’s electric company hasn’t done it already.

Read about the governor’s letter to HECO in Sophie Cocke’s Land Blog:

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Gov. Neil Abercrombie sent a letter to HECO this week asking the utility to begin looking to natural gas as a new energy source for Hawaii. 

The letter symbolizes a sharp policy shift from the previous administration, Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz told Civil Beat.

Under former Gov. Linda Lingle, the state and utilities signed the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative which lays out the state’s energy plan and aggressive strategy for switching to renewable sources. Natural gas wasn’t given any role. 

“The previous administration was very firmly against (liquefied natural gas) and that was part and parcel to the original interpretation of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative,” said Schatz. “And the the utility during the Lingle administration essentially didn’t want to flout the initial version (of the agreement). But now it’s a new administration and a new approach.”

The push toward natural gas does not supplant renewable energy goals, Schatz stressed.

Prices for natural gas have plummeted on the mainland as increasing reserves have been discovered. And with electricity prices hitting record highs during the past year, supporters of natural gas say it could provide residents with lower electric rates and serve as a cleaner alternative to oil. (The state uses oil for the majority of its electricity needs.)

The Gas Co. announced Thursday that it had hired an engineering firm to begin evaluating the natural gas option, which is expected to entail hefty infrastructure investments. 

As for HECO, it would have to convert its generators to run on natural gas. Robbie Alm, executive vice president of the utility, told Civil Beat that he didn’t expect this to be a major issue. 

You can read Abercrombie’s letter to HECO below:

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