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Posted: Sunday, December 30th, 2007 9:13 AM HST

Hawaii improves renewable energy use

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) _ A new report says Hawaii's use of renewable energy rose by 9.8 percent last year. Statistics from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism show that the state's primary energy consumption in 2006 dropped 1.8 percent compared to 2005, while petroleum use fell 2.7 percent during the period. Municipal solid waste energy and hydropower production rose about 12 percent and 13 percent, respectively. Wind power jumped 1,123 percent due to new facilities by Kaheawa Wind Power on Maui and Hawi Renewable Development on the Big Island. Hawaii's energy savings in buildings ranked it fifth in the nation for total energy cost savings at more than $22 million annually. (Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved)