[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 31 (Thursday, March 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E418-E419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING CONSTANCE H. LAU AS A RECIPIENT OF THE 2011 WOMEN'S COUNCIL ON 
           ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2011

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Constance Lau 
for being recognized as the 2011 Woman of the Year by the Women's 
Council on Energy and the Environment.
  As President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Hawaii's 
largest public company, and Chairman of the Board of Hawaii Electric 
Company (which serves 95 percent of the state), Connie Lau has played a 
critical role in helping Hawaii--the most oil-dependent state

[[Page E419]]

in the country--reduce its reliance on imported oil by investing in a 
clean energy future.
  Under her direction, Hawaiian Electric signed a landmark agreement 
with the State of Hawaii so that the State could achieve 70 percent of 
its energy needs with clean energy by the year 2030. Since then, the 
company has expanded net energy metering, instituted a feed-in tariff 
for renewable projects, started a pilot electric vehicle program, and 
instituted declining block rates to encourage conservation.
  In addition to being the first company to use sustainable biodiesel 
in a utility-scale combustion turbine, Hawaiian Electric has 
implemented new purchase power contracts for geothermal, photovoltaic, 
wind, and biomass projects.
  For these and other initiatives, Connie richly deserves this 
distinguished national award. All of Hawaii is proud of her. Her 
pioneering spirit serves as an inspiration to us all.