80% Geo-thermal will go to Oahu via u/w cables!

[Kelena]

Not easy, no. It is the transmission lines and the vertical monopoly that makes it quite difficult. But the Big Island is capable of producing much of its own energy, it has a low population and those two factors are what make it different. A consortium of biofuels, geothermal and wind companies could conceivably move the rock that no on else has been able to move. I agree the transmission lines are an issue. But any company can buy oil. Big Island, as a matter of policy, needs to quite enabling HELCO, period. Creating controversial energy from the volcano with no resulting reduction is rates is ludicrous and short-sighted. Why encourage geothermal if doing so doesn't lower rates and just puts money in the pockets of a foreign country?

Neither Lanai nor Big island should be selling power to Oahu or Maui. They should focus on self-sufficincy -- Lanai through Wind and maybe solar, and the Big Island through everything, including oil. Anybody can buy oil. The disparate alternative energy companies, except for the quite despicable Ormat, need to coordinate and cooperate.
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Knock Helco out by taking over an outer island or two first. Difficult? Yes. Very. Impossible? Certainly not.

I think a properly constituted consortium could do it, with the appropriate policy from government. Hawaii County government should not cooperate in any power scheme that fails to lower rates for power.