Henry Curtis reports that Life of the Land intends to question four witnesses next week in a pending Public Utilities Commision review of Hawaii Electric’s Integrated Resource Plan.

Life of the Land believes that climate change impacts and the insane rush into agrofuels requires asking questions. It requires thinking. It requires forethought.

We have decided to question four witnesses: Art Seki (HECO Renewable Energy), Gary Hashiro (HECO Planning), Norman Verbanic (HELCO generation and biofuels), and Daniel Peaco (CA).

Does that sound entertaining? The interesting thing in an earlier round of questioning was that HECO’s staff experts said they did not consider the issue of global warming in their energy planning. At least that was my impression from the repeated “I’m no expert in climate change” and “I don’t know” answers to questions from Life of the Land, although it may overstate the issue.

Meanwhile, Peter Rosegg of Hawaiian Electric responded to my inquiry about the company’s view of the issue of biodiesel cash crops displacing food production, or the use of food products like corn for fuel instead of human consumption. Here’s an excerpt from his longer reply:

As a bridge to the day when Hawaii can grow a significant part of its fuel for electricity, we must import biodiesel and biodiesel feedstock. This raises concerns that we share about how feedstocks are grown in
some countries and the food vs. fuel issue.

That is why Hawaiian Electric worked with the highly respected Natural Resources Defense Council to develop a policy that requires any biodiesel or feedstocks used by any Hawaiian Electric company must meet strict and audited standards to be sure it is grown sustainably and with fair labor practices.

The “Environmental Policy for the Hawaiian Electric Company’s Procurement of Biodiesel from Palm Oil and Locally-Grown Feedstocks, Prepared by Hawaiian Electric Company and NRDC” can be viewed at www.nrdc.org/energy or www.hawaiisenergyfuture.com. By establishing this policy, we and the NRDC hope and believe others will follow to do the right thing.

Like fair trade coffee, humanely-made cosmetics, sustainable forestry production, dolphin-safe tuna and similar efforts, this is not a cure-all or perfect solution. It is a start.

Don’t forget the Honolulu Community-Media Council forum next Monday on the issue of a reporters’ shield law.

Confidential sources are important to journalism. Should Hawaii join the majority of states with shield laws to better protect sources and do we need a federal shield law? Will bloggers be protected? Join us for a forum moderated by former judge Hon. Marie Milks as we explore these issues.

Monday, November 26, 2007 at noon
Ala Moana Hotel, Carnation Room

Featured panelists:
Hawaii State Bar Association president, Jeffrey S. Portnoy
Honolulu Advertiser staff writer Jim Dooley
Reporter and ilind.net blogger Ian Lind
UH Manoa Law School International and Constitutional law expert Professor Jon Van Dyke

$25 Members; $30 Nonmembers
RSVP emailbkoz1@aol.com or 222-3035

A limited number of scholarships and those interested need to contact Chris Conybeare at 225-6288 (Oahu)

And while your calendar is out, consider attending this Saturday’s Second Annual Waimea Valley Party, a fundraiser for Keep the North Shore Country.

Here’s a glimpse of what it was like in Kaaawa at dawn yesterday. There was relatively heavy surf breaking out on the reef and the tide was in, but the delicate colors made everything seem quite mellow. Just click for a larger version.