Hawaii Island Energy Cooperative

[opihikao]

Not wanting to dilute the other threads, with regard to HELCO (HECO/HEI) costs (ie. TMT thread, etc.), starting a new one. A very big decision is being made for our future.

As the PUC (Public Utilities Commission) considers the HEI (Hawaiian Electric Industries) / NEXTERA proposal, of which a decision is expected shortly, we need to be maka'ala (ever alert; watchful).

There is a proposal being made by a group from our island (HIEC), Maui County, and possibly, Oahu, which is in favor of a Co-Op. A true "Public Utility". HELCO (on this island) has basically sucked the life out of our pockets with the highest rates in the nation per KWhr, yet show the highest profits in history for HEI.

It is my belief that King Kalakaua, upon the creation of Hawaiian Electric in the late 1870's (or so), meant for it to be an entity that served his people (the "public"). Today, that is not the case. At all. Time for change.

Please consider supporting the effort being put forth for a Co-op on our island. Write the PUC and voice your opinion, not only with regard to the HEI/NEXTERA deal, but for the next steps we need to take to "purchase" the right to manage our own "utility company".

Here is the link to the HIEC website for perusal:

http://www.hiec.coop/


Here is the link to the PUC to provide testimony/opinion:

http://puc.hawaii.gov/


Here is the link to Hawaii Electric Industries:

http://www.hei.com/frame.zhtml?c=101675&p=index



With all of the discussion about energy use, and policy, it is time for change. Puna specifically, has not yet reaped the benefits of our own resources; HELCO has. Time to manage our own "Public Utility" entity, and manage our resources (that we own by law).

IMUA, and mahalo to the HIEC for such dedication to this effort.


JMO.

ETA: typo

[kalakoa]

Please consider supporting the effort being put forth for a Co-op on our island.

If I recall correctly, State allocated $1.5M for "co-op studies" while also making it clear that PUC wouldn't issue a ruling on the merger within the timeframe desired by NextEra.

So, yes, the least we can do is make use of that funding...

[Kapoho Joe]

quote:

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Originally posted by kalakoa

Please consider supporting the effort being put forth for a Co-op on our island.

If I recall correctly, State allocated $1.5M for "co-op studies" while also making it clear that PUC wouldn't issue a ruling on the merger within the timeframe desired by NextEra.

So, yes, the least we can do is make use of that funding...

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So, have you submitted your testimony in favor of 'people power'?

[pahoated]

Kauai is a coop electric and their residential is 32 cents per kilowatt-hour, the same as Hawaii island HELCO.

HELCO is still 50% bulk oil fired electric plants. Their fuel cost went from $100 per barrel to $50 per barrel. The HELCO electric rate two years ago was 42 cents per kilowatt-hour.

HELCO has decreased the residential electric rate with reduction in fuel cost. The decrease in residential electric rate is not going down 1-for-1 with fuel costs but it allows HELCO to pad the difference in their coffers. The cancellation of the Pepeekeo plant and the new PGV plant, along with others means they don't have to pay out for those external power sources.

The PUC has said they are looking at cooperatives since Maui wants to also become a coop. The PUC could avoid this headache by letting Nextera buy out HECO, then let Nextera decide if they want to split off Maui and Hawaii island.

"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"

[kalakoa]

Per the "Facts and Figures", Hawaii (the state) relied primarily on oil (67.9%) and coal (14.8%) for electricity production in 2014, with "average cost" (not "official price") ranging between $0.35/KWh (Oahu) and $0.46/KWh (Molokai, Lanai).

I do not believe for one second that any submitted testimony will have any effect given State's track record for ignoring public input when making money decisions.

Time for change? Certainly. Convince a large customer (Walmart, KTA) to take a store or two off-grid, maybe HELCO will listen to them.

[leilanidude]

NEXTERA will be very good for Hawaii due to their heavy involvement with wind and solar and ability to manage transmission lines.

Hawaii leaders have stated their goals for Hawaii to become dependent upon renewable energy. NEXTERA knows how to play the wind and solar game to produce power for next to zero cost by taking advantage of federal subsidies and their Texas wind farms alone prove their ability.

Whether you like it or not, they would be able to make huge profits off of 10 cent kwh pricing due to the federal credits and subsidies.

I would rather have them do this, than continue to have oil shipped in and the eventual mega-spill happening along a coastline.

[kalakoa]

game to produce power for next to zero cost by taking advantage of federal subsidies

That must be why NextEra wants the Hawaii market so badly -- it's got the best subsidies.

continue to have oil shipped in and the eventual mega-spill

Which is why they're looking at LNG, even though it's not as "renewable".