Tech Talkin’ Govs, Part III

Highlights from State of the State addresses delivered in Alaska and Hawaii are included in the third installment of the Tech Talkin’ series.

 

Alaska

Gov. Sarah Palin, State of the State Address, Jan. 15, 2008

“I'm appointing an Energy Coordinator, to activate a statewide Energy Plan. We'll use earnings from a $250 million ‘Renewable Energy Fund’ for alternative projects, like hydro, wind, geothermal, and biomass.”



Hawaii

Gov. Linda Lingle, State of the State Address, Jan. 22, 2008

“We are proposing to start Creative Academies, modeled after the successful STEM Academies, to nurture and support the many talents of Hawai‘i’s keiki. These academies would focus on animation, digital media, game development and writing and publishing in elementary through high school.



“We propose the creation of a Commission on Higher Education made up of the presidents of Hawai‘i’s major universities, members of the community, and business leaders. This Commission will give us the opportunity to embrace new ideas and new ways of using federal and state education dollars.



“And again this year we propose that the state retirement fund allocate $100 million to invest in the creative ideas and talents of Hawai‘i’s companies and people.



“… To further speed our progress toward energy security and a clean energy future, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is being reorganized to re-establish an Energy Division.



“Every week my departments are visited by developers of renewable energy projects – from wind to solar, from wave and ocean thermal to biofuel, from algae to even energy from space. We need to take action now to make it easier for these kinds of projects to start up and to succeed in Hawai‘i. …



“… Less than two weeks ago, our Airports Division announced an historic plan to develop large solar power arrays at 12 government sites across the state. This project has the potential to reduce Hawai‘i’s need to import 130,000 barrels of oil per year, and to generate enough power to supply about 9,000 homes per year. …



“... I am pleased today to let you know that next week, the State of Hawai‘i and the U.S. Department of Energy will enter into an unprecedented and innovative partnership called the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative. This partnership is based on the vision that Hawai‘i must accelerate its transformation to a clean energy future by tapping into the latest national and global advancements, and that our abundant natural sources of energy position us to be a model for the world to show what can be accomplished by developing indigenous renewable energy. This partnership will bring both technical assistance and project funding to Hawai‘i.”