And the news keep getting better. First, increased water rates. Next, possible increases in property taxes. Then, possible layoffs and furloughs. Now, the "experts" want the County of Kauai to increase the County fuel tax by 50¢ per gallon. Are they for real? Come on.
According to the study, which the Council approved $200,000 for,
"The Kaua`i County Fuel Tax should be raised an additional 50¢/gallon on gasoline and diesel to disincentivize their consumption, while building a Sustainable Ground Transportation Fund to provide incentives for alternative transportation, more efficient vehicles, and an integrated refinery for the Island, etc."
Wow. Just like that. Increase the burden on the people of Kauai. They want us to believe that increasing the price of gasoline and diesel will "disincentivize their consumption." This is not a disincentive, this is a PENALTY! This is PUNISHMENT! Did we pay $200,000 to be told to punish our people? Unbelievable! This plan is a joke. If anything, the government should incentivize behaviors that they want to see changed. In other words, if the government wants to see people move away from gas or diesel vehicles, provide incentives for those that choose to do so. DON'T PUNISH THOSE THAT CANNOT AFFORD OR DON'T WANT TO CHANGE!!
On another note, the study states,
"The County of Kaua`i’s Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan (ISWMP) update, currently before the County Council for adoption, recommends waste-to-energy (WTE) technology among a menu of options for managing the County’s solid waste stream. In addition to reducing the volume of waste processed by up to 90 percent, WTE is an energy source that could have a significant effect on generation capacity. In addition to being identified in the County’s ISWMP, WTE has also been identified by KIUC as one of its top two recommended renewable energy projects.
Although WTE could contribute to Kaua`i’s non-fossil fuel generation mix, there are clearly many questions regarding the use of this technology on Kaua`i which raise doubt as to when, or if, WTE will be implemented. Because of this uncertainty, we are recommending that WTE not be included in the plan’s "generation wedge" at this time, but that it be recognized as another potential source of renewable energy for Kaua`i that could be utilized in the future."
Again, we paid "experts" a lot of money to recommend to us that we not adopt the recommendations of another study that we paid lots of money for. Come on people, am I the only one that smells a rat? Competing studies? What's the sense? Which one is acting in the best interest of the people of Kauai?
This will be an interesting year for Kauai. Many tough decisions lie ahead. I can only hope that between the Mayor and the County Council, the best interests of the people of Kauai remain the priority. Only time will tell.
We'll be forced to change soon enough. It's just a matter of time before gas prices begin to rise along with the worldwide demand for oil. Sometimes politicians have to make tough decisions, even those that may be politically unpopular.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Mel that incentives, not penalties, should be used for behaviour changes. To put more costs of the backs of the people is not right.
ReplyDeleteWTE is not a silver bullet fixall. there are so many pitfalls w/it that the planners wisely chose to PASS. COK would do well to do the same. KIUC has not made any efforts to move forward w/this as well. it is a DEAD END! burning trash is passe and is outlawed in many jurisdictions. if we want to reduce energy costs efficiencies are the place to start; then the renewables in a diverse array. why haven't we pursued the wave technology or ocean thermal conversion? we're surrounded by deep water, hello? anybody steering this ship?
ReplyDeletei agree w/ you on many issues but this one,WTE, is where we'll agree to disagree. good luck w/your campaign.
I agree with Anon January 8, 2010 6:14 PM on WTE. Mel, there has not been a new WTE plant approved by the EPA anywhere in the U.S. in the past decade. We can do better than WTE, Mel. You should drop this one, Mel, and then you would be totally in line with a strong majority of the Kauai electorate.
ReplyDeletealoha mel,
ReplyDeletehope all goes well w/your trip and for your mom. stay warm and keep blogging. looks like WTE will be a hot topic, pun intended. i wouldn't support it for two reasons; it wont be cheap and their are alternatives that are more affordable, greener and ecourages us to be efficient and not wasteful.
happy new year,......jimmy t
hi, brrr, it's cold here, can't imaine where you are....brrr..... the wte should never happen here,bad technology, but neither should a gas tax happen right now. It's not like we can take the bus(which doesn't even bother to serve the Hanalei to Haena area, we're so not considered a part of the community that we have to drive. I like the incentives, but how about our gov expanding the bus service, so we have a choice. Studies and more studies, the cost of the study,is that what they need the tax for?more studies, a bunch of clowns...
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me what options we have to solve the trash problem? What alternatives exist that are cheaper and more efficient? This is a toss-up for me and I haven't heard alternatives except for recycling. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping that someone would answer the previous question. I hear that recycled materials are piling up throughout the country. It is wonderful when the demand is there. But when the demand slows, you end up stockpiling trash again. So, what is the real answer? Why haven't our elected officials spoken about this issue? I guess fighting over council rules and travel policies are more important to them.
ReplyDelete