Controversy swirls over use of Malaysian palm oil biodiesel in Hawaii

In Hawaii, controversy is brewing over the Hawaiian Electric Co. (HECO) and subsidiary Maui Electric Co.’s plans to import Malaysian palm oil to produce biodiesel for the state. Since the project was first announced in 2007, it has been met with opposition from environmental groups concerned about the lack of sustainability of the palm oil.

HECO has now formed Hawaii Biofuel Foundation to present the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels’ standards to the state, a move which has also angered local environmental activists.

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