Local environmentalists urged the U.S. Senate today to take up a climate and clean energy bill passed by the U.S. House last June.

The bill, according to the House, would require electric utilities to satisfy 20 percent of electricity demand through renewable sources or efficiency by 2020. It also calls for reducing carbon emissions from major U.S. sources by 17 percent by 2020.

The bill would also provide substantial new federal investment in clean energy technology and energy efficiency programs.

Environmentalists hope that the British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf Coast will help convince senators – including U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye and U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka – to take action this year.

“What’s really clear is that the finger is on the United States Senate,” state Rep. Cynthia Thielen (R, Kaneohe-Kailua), said at a news conference at the state Capitol. “The finger is pointing at our senators from Hawaii and other states across the nation.

“They must act. Without their moving ahead with clean energy legislation, it’s going to be the same old story, the same old oil dependence.”

State Sen. Mike Gabbard (D, Kalaeloa-Makakilo), said an oil spill similar to BP’s nearly happened in Hawaii and could again unless steps are taken to reduce the reliance on fossil fuel.

In February 1977, the Hawaiian Patriot suffered a cracked hull and later exploded on a trip from Indonesia to Honolulu, leaking about 30 million gallons of oil into the ocean. The spill occurred about 300 nautical miles from Honolulu but currents pushed the oil to the west and away from the Islands.

“So the question is not ‘Will we have a disaster?’” Gabbard said. “We will have one if we continue to import 40 million barrels of oil every year.”

Please contact me if I can help you. My phone is 586-6830 and e-mail is sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov. Mahalo for the privilege of serving you!