Hawai'i is cursed with among the highest energy costs in the nation, and blessed with some of the greatest potential for renewable energy.

That's why this state must stand at the vanguard of the energy self-sufficiency movement, and why the presentation of a new comprehensive energy policy from Gov. Linda Lingle is encouraging.

But it's easy to get depressed again when we think about how politics usually plays out around here. The scenario: What should be a healthy discussion disintegrates into partisan bickering. Then we have the Clash of the Titan Energy Plans, one for the Dems and one for the GOP. The compromise version, if there is one, pleases nobody.

It would be a tragedy for that to happen this time.

GAS CAP

Disagreement has flared over one component of the plan: The governor would rather replace the gas price cap, which the Democrats have championed, with an index estimating the cost of importing gas, believing that giving the public a reality check on market forces is preferable to direct price regulation.

That's a flash point, but it's no reason both sides couldn't come together on other aspects of a comprehensive renewable-energy policy. The Lingle administration has some good ideas here, and more are bubbling up from the Democratic leadership.

In some cases, such as a new emphasis on renewables, there is considerable overlap from the two sides.

TALKS UNDER WAY

The governor has talked with a few of those leaders, a dialogue that should accelerate with the approach of the lawmaking session.

It could be a productive dialog, with room for agreement on mid- and long-range solutions — ideals that seem lofty but are achievable. Everyone supports the proposal to ramp up the state's energy conservation through construction standards and various private-sector incentives, and that could yield the most immediate returns.

Both sides agree on the promotion of biofuels, as well. The Democrats rightly point out that, with some public-private sharing of the costs for improving irrigation systems, Hawai'i's agricultural industry could be resurrected for the mission of growing crops that can yield ethanol fuel blends, reducing our reliance on crude oil. Lingle favors the same end goal, but imagines other incentives to make it so.

FIGHT BREWING

The governor's proposal to compel utilities to bear a greater part of the burden of rising petroleum prices is raising eyebrows across the aisle.

Expect a pretty big fight on this one.

But the administration argues that private industry needs this kind of push to make alternative energy development a priority. That's a question worth discussing.

Finally, hydrogen fuel development holds out promise as a technology from which Hawai'i could reap substantial gains for the long term. It won't happen tomorrow, but research into hydrogen power fits nicely with more short-term efforts in alternative-energy generation, particularly biofuels.

All of these are avenues worth pursuing — and without the usual rancor that transforms a critical debate into an unproductive rant in the state Capitol.

Other states are being proactive. California recently created a $3.2 billion plan providing rebates to owners of homes, businesses, farms and public buildings who install solar energy systems.

Hawai'i, more than any other of the 50 states, faces a compelling need to take charge of its energy supply. Recent events have made that painfully clear. Hawaiian Electric Co. put out a plea for conservation last week to avert rolling blackouts, with utility officials warning that more such requests are coming.

LET'S HAVE AGREEMENT

The need for energy is apparent, and it's also clear our leaders need an extra jolt to get them talking to each other.

In a country where even polar opposites such as Newt Gingrich and Hillary Clinton have come to terms on common concerns, you'd think we could have a meeting of the minds on a motherhood-and-apple-pie issue such as energy self-sufficiency.