The state's latest effort to develop a comprehensive energy strategy may be discounting alternative energy sources, several critics said yesterday.

"Where's the renewable energy?" Rep. Cynthia Thielen asked as a state consultant outlined a yearlong effort to produce a new report on energy needs and policies before industry officials and others at the state Capitol.

The state study, at least the sixth on the topic in the past 25 years, will be rigorously objective in weighing the relative value of all energy strategies, including alternative fuels, conservation and the continuing use of petroleum fuels, said Kyle Datta, a consultant for the Rocky Mountain Institute, which is drafting the report for the state.

"We want real-life insights into whatever it takes to get the job done," Datta said.

While Hawai'i remains 90 percent dependent on imported oil for its energy needs, the study won't necessarily give extra weight to alternatives, he said.

Using dozens of variables fed into a computer model, the study will examine the best potential energy strategies under a number of different scenarios, varying from relatively low-cost, abundant petroleum fuel to a world with sky-high oil prices.

"It is not our intention to dictate that more renewable resources be used," Datta said. "There are risks no matter which way we go. The idea is to come up with a strategy that will be flexible as conditions change in five, 10 or 20 years."

Thielen, a member of the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, and others noted, however, that Hawai'i law mandates the state get 20 percent of its energy from renewable resources by the year 2020.

Chris Steele, environmental compliance officer for Grace Pacific Co., said: "It's time we become less dependent on imported oil right now. We've got a lot of equipment right now that could burn alternative biofuels, if we could just get our hands on it."

Steele said the state needs action, not another study.

"Everybody has a study and everybody has a plan. But then what happens? We've got to begin making changes now," he said.

Paula Helfrich, of the Economic Development Alliance of Hawai'i, said the study needs to seek input from people beyond the Capitol and energy industry.

"There's a political and community will to move forward with new ideas," she said. "We can't afford a lack of trust. People are ready to make a change now."

Datta said the planners will keep that in mind.

"We're going to get input from the people to ensure we don't come up with a great plan on paper, but end up with nothing any of us can implement," he said.

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.