Hawai‘i has the highest dependency on imported petroleum but also possesses the most diverse array of alternative energy resources in the nation.  We have access to solar, wind, wave, geothermal, and other sustainable assets to fuel our economic future.  The task at hand is to harness our renewable resources and put them to good use. 

We can accomplish this by having our educational and private sectors at the forefront of alternative energy research, development, and application for our nation and the world.  I will work in Congress to establish Hawai‘i as a leader in effective environmental solutions and practices by investing federal resources in the University of Hawai‘i to create cutting-edge, advanced programs.  And I will work with business and technology leaders who focus on sustainable alternatives in Hawai‘i, on the mainland and abroad to ensure that Hawai‘i will have the best-trained people and the resources needed to succeed. 

With the “green job” sector growing nationally and worldwide, establishing Hawai‘i as an energy leader will give us a chance to develop new employment and career opportunities in clean, renewable technologies.