Electric vehicle leaders have commended Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) for his work in moving the push for electric vehicles along after Honolulu and Kaua'i were chosen to take part in the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP).
Through the program, federal assistance is available through the Department of Energy to help boost transportation and electric grid infrastructure to decrease the chance for outages and enhance the future outlook for both energy and the economy.
"For our island state that has long depended on imported oil, a clean energy future means resiliency and economic security," Schatz wrote in a post on his Facebook page. "I want to thank the Department of Energy for selecting two Hawaii communities for the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project. These projects address two of the most important steps in achieving our goal to become carbon negative by 2045 — clean transportation and grid improvements."
The ETIPP was designed specifically for isolated and island communities that, because of their location, normally have high energy costs and "vulnerable energy infrastructure." The program will help both Honolulu and Kaua'i strengthen their grids and move toward clean energy alternatives in the area.
Sonja Kass, president of Kaua'i Electric Vehicle, told The Guardian Island KauaiEV and the Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association would like to work with the project.
HawaiiEV was founded more than 50 years ago with a goal to increase Electric Vehicles across the state.