State PUC blocks biofuels deal

[Justin]

I can't speak to the specifics of this particular plan, but in general I'm against bio-fuels, particularly here in Hawaii. Reason being, after traveling to areas that make a lot of biofuels (Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia), it's really replacing taking one scarce resource (fossil fuels) with taking another scarce resource (native rainforests). Most if not all of the biofuels are grown in areas where native rainforests are cut down to plant crops (corn, soy, oil palms) that are used for biofuel. Well, I'd prefer to take oil out of the desert than trees out of the rainforest, particularly so in Hawaii where the rainforest is so small.

I recognize there is an impetus to get more renewable energy, but I'd much prefer to put solar panels in the middle of an unforested area than some crop in the middle of the rainforest.