JERA's Hawaiian LNG Project Sparks Concern Over Renewable Energy Plans

Japanese energy giant JERA is promoting its liquefied natural gas (LNG) project as a way to lower Hawaii's electric bills. The company held an open house event at the University of Hawaii West Oahu, where dozens of community members showed up to learn more about the proposed project.

The LNG facility would be located offshore and receive gas from a vessel that would float in the ocean. A pipeline would then transport the gas onshore, where it would tie into the existing natural gas network. JERA claims that adding LNG as one of Hawaii's energy sources would lower generation costs while providing reliable power.

However, critics are unconvinced by JERA's promises. The president of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 12-591, Jarrett Wa'a, expressed concerns about the project's impact on their 15-year renewable energy plan. He noted that promising savings is one thing, but delivering them is another.

JERA's vice president, Erik Montague, emphasized that gas has historically been a lower-cost fuel than oil. He stated that adding LNG as an energy source could have saved the state money had it been done 10 years ago.