06-22-2016, 07:52 AM
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!"
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!"
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*