Hawai'i's quest for energy independence has gone nuclear, with two bills before state lawmakers that would have the state investigate the feasibility of a nuclear power plant.

Rep. K. Mark Takai, D-34th (Newtown, Waiau, Pearl City), authored a measure that would direct the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to develop a permitting process for nuclear energy generation facilities in Hawai'i.

Hawai'i depends on imported fossil fuels for 80 percent of its energy generation, Takai said, and the $7 billion leaving the state each year could be put to better use at home.

"We're far away from having a nuclear power plant in Hawai'i," Takai said. "I introduced the bill because I believe it needs to be studied and we should move forward on it."

State Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimanalo, Hawai'i Kai), said he introduced a bill to explore the issue with a panel of experts, including members of the energy community and the University of Hawai'i, and sets up a nuclear commission that would prepare a report for the Legislature.

Hemmings said legislators and activists should not be quick to dismiss nuclear power because it presents a great opportunity to wean the state off of its dependence on fossil fuels.

"At least keep an open mind about it," Hemmings said. "Nuclear generators like the ones used in France and Japan and other states would help make Hawai'i energy independent ... and provide us a cheap and efficient and reliable source of energy."

Environmental activists opposed the bill at a hearing, claiming that putting a nuclear power plant on any island would be a serious risk to the health and safety of residents.

Jeff Mikulina, executive director of Blue Planet's Hawai'i office, said the technology doesn't fit in Hawai'i and that maintaining a nuclear facility would create more problems than benefits. He said solar, wind and other forms of renewable energy fit Hawai'i much better.

"We do have nuclear power in Hawai'i; it's called the sun and it's safely located 93 million miles away," Mikulina said.

Robert D. Harris, director of the Sierra Club's Hawai'i chapter, said nuclear power poses problems, such as disposal of radioactive waste and the potential for reactor accidents, and detracts "from the valuable community support of renewable energy efforts."

State Rep. Sharon Har, D-40th (Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei), said the idea has merit but, based on yesterday's testimony, there are too many unresolved issues to push forward now.

"One of the biggest issues was the cost factor. Everything is all over the place," Har said. "We're still trying to get a handle on this. Are we getting our money's worth based on cost per kilowatt? That's obviously debatable."

DBEDT Director Ted Liu said in written testimony that the department "recognizes that nuclear energy is an option for the state."

But he emphasized that the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative is focused on other resources, such as wind, sun, geothermal and wave energy.