U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SPECIALIST TO ASSIST HAWAI`I'S ENERGY-SELF SUFFICIENCY EFFORTS
For Immediate Release: October 5, 2006
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle announced today that the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) has agreed to assign a senior energy specialist to work with the State of Hawai`i to help implement the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s “Energy for Tomorrow” program.
Under an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreement with the USDOE, William Parks, deputy director of research and development in USDOE’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, will be assigned for two years to the Strategic Industries Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT). He will assist DBEDT’s Chief Technology Officer Maurice Kaya as senior advisor and principal engineer.
Parks’ role will be to foster increased coordination and collaboration between USDOE and Hawai`i by organizing strategic partnerships with the energy industry, federal agencies and private sector organizations.
“We are honored to have a person of Mr. Parks’ ability here to help the state implement energy efficiency and renewable energy programs,” said Governor Lingle. “By this action, the Department of Energy recognizes that Hawai`i can serve as a model for the rest of the nation in addressing our overdependence on foreign oil.”
In his current capacity at USDOE, Parks has led several initiatives including the Electricity Vision and Roadmap, the Hydrogen Vision and Roadmap, Clean Energy for the 21st Century, and the Advanced Turbine Systems Program. He has experience with renewable energy, power systems, distributed energy resources and materials, and was one of the leaders in forming the current Office of Electricity Delivery and Electricity Reliability, with responsibilities for both electricity policy and technology.
Parks has served in advisory roles to the California Energy Commission, Electric Power Research Institute, Gas Technology Institute, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and other institutions.
While on assignment, Parks will remain a federal employee, with the state providing office space and other support. He will begin working in Hawai`i in mid-October.
“The strong relationships forged by the Lingle-Aiona Administration in Washington, together with the Governor’s leadership in reducing Hawai`i’s dependence on imported oil contributed to this collaborative arrangement,” said DBEDT Director Theodore E. Liu. “We anticipate many mutual gains arising out of this significant commitment from the Department of Energy.”
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For more information, contact:
Ted Liu
Director, DBEDT
Phone: (808) 586-2355
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043
