LOS ANGELES — Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed an agreement with the Navy to coordinate the human and financial resources of the state and the Department of Defense to advance clean energy projects.
Ige and the Assistant Navy Secretary Dennis V. McGinn signed the memorandum of understanding to work on energy related issues of mutual benefit, to coordinate goals and to build partnerships whenever possible.
"As the single-largest customer of Hawaii's electric utilities, the Department of the Navy and other branches of the military have an enormous impact on our economy through renewable energy and energy efficiency installations," Ige said in a
Ige and McGinn began working on the plan last November. They found that the state and the Navy "have similar energy goals relating to the reduction of greenhouse gases, the reduction of fossil fuel usage, energy efficiency, water consumption, use of renewable energy and use of alternative fueled vehicles," according to the governor's office.
Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism will work with the Navy.
"This agreement will allow us to capitalize to the greatest extent possible, our combined wisdom and experience as we strive to achieve greater energy security, economic vitality and carbon reductions," Gov. Ige said.
The Navy is one of Hawaii's largest land owners.
Navy Region Hawaii oversees the U.S. Navy's largest and most strategic island base in the Pacific.
The Navy region extends over 23,000 acres of land and water on Oahu and Kauai and serves as the host for the headquarters of seven major Navy commands, including the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
