07-10-2026, 04:14 AM
On June 29, economist Michael Roberts published a report titled “Hawaiʻi’s Electricity Future” on the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization’s website. With his report, Roberts waded into perhaps the state’s largest ongoing debate around energy: whether Oʻahu can lower its electricity costs by burning natural gas instead of oil for power.
Roberts’ paper contended that Oʻahu doesn’t need a new natural gas plant, nor does it need any other kind of new fuel-based generation for that matter. Instead, Roberts concluded that investments in utility-scale solar are Oʻahu’s most cost-effective option.
The report was wrong.
Why?
He used AI to research the numbers.
https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-...me-from-ai
Roberts’ paper contended that Oʻahu doesn’t need a new natural gas plant, nor does it need any other kind of new fuel-based generation for that matter. Instead, Roberts concluded that investments in utility-scale solar are Oʻahu’s most cost-effective option.
The report was wrong.
Why?
He used AI to research the numbers.
https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-...me-from-ai