HIRONO CELEBRATES EARTH DAY, PROMOTES MORE SUSTAINABLE HAWAII

Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono celebrated Earth Day by commending Hawaii families, local businesses and the military who are helping to make the state more food and energy self-reliant in ways that honor and protect our natural resources and environment. As the most fossil fuel dependent state in the nation, Hawaii’s families and businesses know the value of developing renewable clean energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and conserving our land and water resources.

“Earth Day provides us with a chance to recommit ourselves to making Hawaii more energy and food secure and protecting the natural resources that make our islands so special,” said Hirono. “For centuries, Native Hawaiians understood the importance of protecting our aina, and today, many Hawaii families and local businesses deserve credit for already doing their part to make our way of life more sustainable. From the family that buys local produce to the business that installs solar panels, people across the state are doing what they can to make a difference. These efforts keep money in Hawaii, create local jobs and support local businesses. Our military, too, should be recognized for its important research into fuels and technology that could make our state more energy independent and our nation more secure. In the Senate, I will continue to fight for initiatives like these that can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, create jobs in new and cutting-edge industries, and increase our state’s self-reliance.”

A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hirono’s first speech on the Senate floor was to oppose a hastily offered measure that would strip funding for certain Department of Defense (DOD) alternative energy initiatives.

Watch Senator Hirono’s floor speech defending military alternative energy initiatives: http://youtu.be/CdWV6CYhick