Victorino seeks to promote development of solar energy facilities

Councilmember Michael P. Victorino

WAILUKU - Councilmember Michael P. Victorino has introduced legislation to allow solar energy facilities in agricultural zoning districts throughout Maui County, he announced today.

"For both economic and environmental reasons, solar energy holds great promise for Maui County," Victorino said. "All of us in the public and private sectors should be doing everything that we can to promote the availability of clean and renewable energy sources such as solar."

Victorino noted that his legislation was made possible by Act 31 (2008), which was introduced at the State Legislature by the Joint House Senate Majority Caucus and was signed into law by Gov. Lingle.

Victorino said his bill would allow unproductive and unused agricultural lands to be used for worthwhile purposes. Victorino noted that, as stated in a State Senate committee report on Act 31, "allowing solar energy facilities to be built on marginal agricultural lands may have more beneficial effects for Hawaii's economy, environment, and energy security than leaving such lands unused." The bill would limit such facilities to land with soil classifications of D or E.

As a zoning bill, Victorino's legislation will need to be reviewed by the Lanai, Maui, and Molokai planning commissions. So, Victorino has also introduced a resolution to transmit his bill to the planning commissions.

Victorino's proposal is scheduled to receive initial review at the Aug. 8 Council meeting. The meeting is open to the public, and testimony is welcome.

Meeting agendas are available on the County website. To receive meeting agendas via e-mail, please complete the on-line subscription form on the County website at www.mauicounty.gov.

Telephone: (808) 270-7760 (Councilmember Michael P. Victorino)
Fax: (808) 270-7639
Web: www.mauicounty.gov/county/members/
E-mail: michael.victorino@mauicounty.us