An Eye On Clean-energy Bills

The 2014 legislative session has convened.

What I’ll be watching most closely are the green energy bills jockeying for consideration this year.

Under the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) established in 2009, 40 percent of electricity sales must come from renewable sources by the year 2030. Lawmakers and the Hawaiian Electric Companies have made this a priority, and the goal is well on its way to being achieved.

According to the state’s major nonprofit clean energy advocate, Blue Planet Foundation, “For 2012, Hawaii Electric Light Company reported that renewable generation accounted for 46.7 percent of electricity sales. Maui Electric Company reported 20.8 percent. Hawaiian Electric Company reported 7.6 percent. Kauai Island Utility Cooperative reported 9.4 percent. These values show an upward trend that is consistent with the existing targets. Furthermore, a recent analysis by the Hawaiian Electric Companies concluded that under the companies’ preferred resource plans, “an RPS greater than 40 percent can be realized well before 2030.”

And that means it’s time to look beyond that date and to seriously work on a goal of 100 percent by the year 2050. I believe it can be done if we, the people, encourage our lawmakers to continue along this path toward energy independence.

If you haven’t already, I suggest you visit the Blue Planet Foundation website at blueplanetfoundation.org and sign up for news updates. There’s a great section that outlines its major legislative policy initiatives and explains the issues in clear, understandable terms.

I’ve left three doctors in my adult life. One was an OB-GYN. One was a brilliant ophthalmologist. One was a general practitioner. What they had in common was this: They could not get a grip on time management. And by that, I mean they wasted too much of my time.

I did so reluctantly but without hesitation. I understand if a doctor keeps you waiting occasionally because he or she is in surgery or an emergency crops up. Those things are unavoidable.

But to keep a patient waiting for over an hour and as long as two hours every single time is, in my book, just plain rude. It shows a lack of respect and consideration. It indicates a pattern of overbooking that is either because of greed or poor management practices, or both.

I think physicians should take as many patients as they can handle. But, hey, at least give us a few options. One doctor I see is very popular and always booked tight. But her office staff tells me to call before leaving for my appointment to see if she’s running late. I love that about them.

At the very least, let the patients know when they get there. Communicate with us. If you tell us what’s going on, we could jump on the phone and postpone that afternoon meeting before it becomes a problem. It would give us the option of grabbing lunch or breakfast or a cup of coffee. At least you wouldn’t have folks stewing in their (uncomfortable) chairs for two hours.

Please – I have great respect for physicians. All I’m asking is that you have respect for us. If you can’t or won’t, you’ll understand if I choose to go elsewhere. It’s not personal, and I’ve had no trouble finding really excellent doctors who keep to a reasonable schedule.

jmoonjones@aol.com
Twitter: @JadeMoon1