In a move to embrace clean energy, Hawai‘i's Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) is swapping out its old gas-guzzlers for electric lawnmowers to maintain state greens, aligning with Hawaiʻi's resolve to meet the nation’s first 100 percent renewable portfolio standards. Governor Josh Green, intent on fast-tracking the state's energy transition, has bumped the target to reach 100% RPS for neighbor island communities up a full decade, from 2045 to 2035, stressing the urgency of this energy revolution, as reported by the Office of the Governor.
The switch to electric isn't just symbolic; it's a savvy financial play, with electric mowers trimming the state's energy bills as much as its lawns, the cost comparison favoring electric by a wide margin: $260 a month versus $800 for gas, a factor not lost on administrators who are keen to contribute to Hawai‘i’s energy independence, DAGS Director and Comptroller Keith Regan cites the electric mower's perks of speed, quietness, and economy additionally noting the benefit of the lease-to-own approach granting a free loaner for uninterrupted productivity, according to the Office of the Governor.
The green machines are already humming across the 98 acres of state-maintained land, wrapping 115 sites in their quieter embrace "It’s faster, quieter and more economical," as Regan told the Office of the Governor; these words echoing the state's new green mantra, and well-received by an Administration intent on showcasing tangible steps towards its laudable RPS goals.
After a year of use, the switch to electric has already saved about $6,500, proving its value beyond just environmental benefits. James Kurata, an administrator, stated, "We’re pleased to be part of the solution to reduce our dependency on oil," highlighting the state's commitment to renewable energy and changing its energy future, as stated by the Office of the Governor.
