03-25-2008, 01:31 PM
quote:Yes, it's called the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, and they do have an Advocate that works on your behalf. (have you called that person yet?)
Originally posted by Menehune
Isn't there some regulating government agency to protect consumers from depilating rate hikes? [?]
One thing to remember is HELCO is owned by HECO which is owned by HEI, which is owned by its stockholders. It's not a government agency but a private, publicly traded (HE - NYSE) company operating under a franchise. Although their rates, services, and standards are governed by HRS 269, it's still a business, not a non-profit agency. Fuel cost have risen, we see it at the pumps. HELCO doesn’t have a magic stash of cheap oil to use; they buy fuel on the wholesale market like everyone else. If they don't make money, you don't have electricity. If they can't pay their bills they go bankrupt. They need to charge what it’s worth to keep operating. And I don’t think there was every any attempt to conceal that Hawaii had high electrical rates. It was high last month, last year and last decade when compared to the mainland. So, why in the days of skyrocketing fuel cost would anyone think rates wouldn’t be going up and up? Of course you have the option of generating your own electricity and not worry about HELCO’s rates. If you can generate the electricity you need cheaper, go for it.