CNN
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On Wednesday, Hawaii acquired its final cargo of coal earlier than closing its final functioning coal plant.
Gov. David Ige referred to as the ultimate cargo “an enormous step ahead in Hawaiʻi’s transition to scrub power” on Twitter.
“In its time, coal was an essential useful resource for Hawai’i and I’d wish to thank the employees who’ve run our final remaining coal plant.”
“Renewable power tasks to exchange coal are coming on-line with extra on the way in which,” wrote Ige. “Whilst we face challenges in making this transition, it’s the proper transfer for our communities and planet. Most significantly, it would go away Hawaiʻi a greater place for our youngsters and grandchildren.”
The cargo got here from Indonesia, in keeping with CNN affiliate KHNL. The facility plant was constructed by AES Company within the Eighties and provides electrical energy to tens of 1000’s of properties on Oahu, KHNL reported.
Though it isn’t clear what is going to turn into of the facility plant itself, AES has stated it would provide jobs at its photo voltaic, wind, and battery storage tasks to the 40 remaining coal plant staff.
In 2015, Gov. Ige signed a invoice setting a aim for Hawaii state utilities to generate 100% of their electrical energy gross sales from renewable power assets by 2045, in keeping with a information launch from his workplace.
The state has been a pacesetter in pursuing renewable power sources like photo voltaic power: The capital metropolis of Honolulu has the best photo voltaic capability per particular person, in keeping with a report from April.
And in 2020, the state signed Senate Invoice 2629 into regulation, which bans utilities from including new coal-powered crops or extending current agreements with amenities burning coal after 2022.
