03-01-2025
County of Maui, Hawaii
Dear Honorable Council Chair Lee,
My name is Philipp Schmidt-Pathmann, President and CEO of the Institute for Energy and Resource Management (IeRM) in Seattle. IeRM is a non-profit, 501c3 organization that works to promote a more responsible waste management policy throughout the United States. Our goal is an Integrated Waste Management System, making maximum use of scarce resources, minimizing methane and CO2 emissions, and preventing other harmful environmental effects, as well as saving municipal governments and taxpayers from ever-increasing disposal fees.
IeRM was contacted in December of 2023 by a group of concerned individuals who were trying to determine the most efficacious way of disposing of the ash from the devastating fires in Lahaina. While this is an important issue, it became apparent that the problem was larger than just the short-term question. Once the sites are cleared and rebuilding starts, the management of waste in the long term, for the entire island, will be a much larger challenge.
At the suggestion of this group, we are reaching out to you to offer our services in developing a solid waste management plan that provides for a cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable future. As a non-profit organization, we have no vested interest in any technologies or methods, but we do have, collectively, hundreds of years of experience in developing and managing more efficient solid waste systems. Over the next several months you will be called upon to make decisions about waste management policies and technologies, decisions which will have a profound impact on the environment and the economy of the island. Because of our extensive experience in this field, we can work with you to help reach your goals.
Attached are my presentation to the DRIP Committee from February 21, as well as some other background materials. You can also learn more about us on our website, www.ie-rm.org. We look forward to connecting with you soon.
Sincerely,
Philipp Schmidt-Pathmann
President & CEO
Institute for Energy and Resource Management