A first in my time on Lamma, electric bills are getting lower!

To their customers' great surprise and delight, HK Electric and CLP announced lower tariffs today. Less 1.1% doesn't sound like very much, but in summertime, that's several free coffees per month to enjoy in my air-conditioned home office. And it's the thought that counts and the pleasant, unexpected surprise.

Here are the full details:

HK Electric to Reduce Tariff  [15 Dec 2015]

Even more details in this presentation: 2016 Tariff Review

Farewell blog from our Lamma Police Chief, Ms. Camas TUNG Hei-man:

"I heard many of you are concerning about the driving manner of the Village Vehicles in Lamma. The Village Vehicle has formed part of Lamma people's life as it is the only transportation mode on the island. With the vehicles' frequent passages through the Main Street and other crowded area, the driving manner may cause a concern to public safety.

We, the Police, do have the same concern as you do. While we would conduct enforcement at restricted zones during restricted hours, we also appeal for your assistance to report to us any inappropriate driving manner of the Village Vehicles. If you can recall the license plate of the vehicles and are willing to give statements to Police as a witness, your information would be forwarded to our Traffic branch for further investigation. The officers in our Traffic branch are well trained to investigate vehicle related complaints. Hope with our concerted effort, there would be no accident caused by the Village Vehicles.

Finally, it has come to the end of my tour as the officer-in-charge of Lamma Island. Yes, I have to say 'Goodbye' to all of you while I will be rotated to another post in Admiralty in late-Dec and I will move out of Lamma at the same time. I do enjoy being a Lamma person and I am sure I would often come back to Lamma for the lovely nature. It has been so memorable to work with you all to maintain Lamma a happy place.

My successor would introduce herself to you later. Already given you a hint that a female officer is taking charge of the island again. Now, let's recap some of the happy moments during my time in Lamma."

More photos!

Have a look at our Survey below, please! Very important!

Should we continue the Police Corner with the next Police Chief in January 2016?

Green Energy Dreams Come True, backed by HK Electric (8 Dec 2015)

"Those who think out of the box have returned with their visions, and versions, of how to make their dreams of greener energy come true.

It all started in February this year, when HK Electric's Smart Power Campaign invited secondary school students, through its "Green Energy Dreams Come True" programme, to submit proposals on how they would utilise and promote green energy.

With proposals submitted by the students, twelve teams were short-listed and spent the past few months implementing their projects. They had been allotted seed money of up to HK$50,000 by HK Electric and were each assigned a young engineer from the Company to act as their mentor and guide.

At the final presentation and award ceremony held on 5 December, all 12 teams had their chance to present their results, months of hard work and efforts that showed what they had learned from the projects."

Read more...

"Go Green, Go Low Carbon" is Latest Focus (29 Nov 2015)

HK Electric MD Wan Chi-tin (third from left); the Conservancy Association Chairperson Ms. Lucy Woo (3. from right); Assistant Director (Country & Marine Parks) (Acting) of AFCD Dept. Patrick Lai (2. from left); Southern District Council Vice-chairman Chan Fu-ming (2. from right);
Lamma Island (South) Rural Committee Chairman Chow Yuk-tong (1. from left);
Lamma Island (North) Rural Committee Chairman Chan Lin-wai (1. from right)
officiating at the third Green Hong Kong Green Eco-tour Festival.

"As hiking and eco-tours gain popularity among urban dwellers, HK Electric and the Conservancy Association (CA) call on hikers to "Go Green, Go Low Carbon" when they visit the countryside.

The appeal was the theme of this year's Green Hong Kong Green (GHKG) Eco-tour Festival, an annual event jointly organised by HK Electric and the Conservancy Association to promote eco-tourism and environmental awareness.

Speaking at today's (29 November) opening ceremony, HK Electric's Managing Director, Mr. Wan Chi-tin said the company had conducted a simple survey with CA to understand the habits of the public when they are out enjoying nature and have collected more than 230 responses.

Results show that out of nine good hiking habits, most respondents brought their own recycled water bottles (95%) and took public transport (91%). Some 88% also indicated that they would respect local culture and lifestyle, especially when they were in the vicinity of local villages.

However, only 55% of respondents said they brought their own lunch boxes and cutlery, or would prepare low carbon refreshments (53%) for their trips. Some people also tended to neglect the adverse impact of chemically-based products, such as sun blocks or mosquito repellents, on the environment as only 53% avoided using them when hiking."

Read more...

Thank-you letter, photos & video...