Mazie-Come-Lately: Hirono's Touted Sustainability Plan is All Talk and No Action

HONOLULU - Campaign Manager for the Linda Lingle Senate Committee, Bob Lee, released the following statement today:

"Today Hirono launched her new television commercial designed to prop up her lackluster record. Mazie's work on energy and sustainability is clear - because it's empty.

"The commercial features Hirono who not surprisingly is able to fit her entire sustainability plan and energy record into 60-seconds.

"Hirono's vaguely defined 'advocacy' for clean energy and sustainability is laughable. In 22 years as a state legislator and Lieutenant Governor, the only major energy solution she has gotten behind was the economically irresponsible, failed "gas price cap" that she championed during her unsuccessful run for Governor in 2002.

"Many have asked? What has Hirono been doing in Congress for the past six years? The people of Hawaii have not seen any measurable energy policy or food sustainability policy come out of the Congresswoman's office. Mazie's ineffective leadership has left the people of Hawaii wanting.

"Before Hirono even stepped foot in Washington, D.C. as Congresswoman, Governor Linda Lingle had taken concrete, comprehensive actions to reduce Hawaii's dependence on imported oil beginning with the Energy for Tomorrow legislative package in 2005, and continuing with the landmark passage of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) in 2008.

"It is clear that the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative has significantly facilitated private sector job growth in Hawaii. Today there are currently 11,145 positions in this fast-growing clean energy industry, including the photovoltaic solar energy sector, which generated an estimated $619 million on Oahu alone in 2011. From electricians to engineers and designers to project managers, the solar industry accounts for 15% of all construction expenditures in the state today.

"Hawaii needs a national leader who has a proven record of taking important and definable actions to solve our energy needs while creating new economic opportunities for all the people of Hawaii. What Hawaii voters don't need is a politician who is just spinning an issue to her benefit during the campaign season.

"The choice couldn't be clearer. It's certainly not Hirono, whose newly manufactured, Mazie-come-lately initiatives offer only platitudes coupled with a laundry list of over-arching self-serving statements.

"On the other hand, Governor Linda Lingle is the candidate with executive experience who has worked with Hawaii's communities, small businesses, utilities and in a bipartisan manner with legislators to put Hawaii on track for increased energy independence and security."

# # # #