University leaders, lawmaker address energy

University of Hawaii leaders met at the Capitol to discuss the university’s divestment from oil, coal and gas companies and the 100 percent renewable energy goal set by lawmakers.

UH President David Lassner, UH Board of Regents Chairman Randy Moore and professor Joseph Mobley joined Rep. Chris Lee (D, KailuaWaimanalo) Friday at the Capitol.

The regents voted this month to divest its $66 million endowment from fossil fuel producers. Energy companies currently make up 5 percent to 7 percent of UH’s portfolio.

Earlier this month, the state Legislature passed a bill that would set a goal for Hawaii to produce 100 percent of the state’s electric power from renewable energy sources by 2045.

“We have a path forward to offer,” Lee said.

The next step for the university is to focus on campus operations, Lassner said. The university plans to use more solar and other alternative energy sources as well as adopting a system to measure its energy use.

“We need to reduce our energy consumption. We need to shift our source of energy from fossil fuel based to renewable sources,” he said.