When he was running for governor, Neil Abercrombie promised major new state energy programs.

His 2010 vision of a separate energy agency helped woo environmental activists to the outspoken Democrat’s side.

He said the Public Utilities Commission would be complemented by a "Hawaii Energy Authority that is independent from the utility and from political considerations," and "is what Hawaii needs to move us quicker to a clean energy future."

The deconstruction of Abercrombie’s energy platform started almost immediately after his election.

If environmentalists were displeased, they could take some assurance in Abercrombie’s "save the planet" credo by his appointment of then-Rep. Hermina Morita as chairwoman of the Public Utilities Commission.

Blue Planet Foundation Executive Director Jeff Mikulina said Morita had been a critical player for Hawaii’s fragile environment while serving as a Democratic representative from Kauai.

"Mina understands energy policy inside and out. Unlike many legislators who rely on staff or outside consultants for information, Mina is the rare lawmaker who immerses herself in the subject and comprehends every angle of it," the environmental lobbyist said in 2011.

Abercrombie appointed her to fill out an unexpired term of another commissioner. In taking the post, Morita had to leave her safe legislative seat. She is eligible this year to be appointed to a six-year term.

Blogger and Life of the Land Executive Director Henry Curtis reported on Jan. 22 that Morita will not be reappointed.

Abercrombie’s office would only say that all appointments requiring Senate confirmation are under review.

But, state senators are now saying that Abercrombie’s senior staff has informally told them that Morita will not be reappointed.

Supporters are not pleased.

"She is collaborative, well grounded in policy and she has the respect of both the energy users and the energy producers; she clearly has the credentials," said Sen. Roz Baker, Senate Consumer Protection Committee chairwoman.

"She was, and is, a good PUC chair and I think she should stay," said Baker.

Morita’s guidance and the decisions of the PUC have not been favorable to one of Abercrombie’s own: his campaign chairman William Kaneko, who was a lobbyist for Aina Koa Pono, a biofuel company.

Twice, Aina Koa Pono tried to get PUC approval to sell biofuel to the Big Island electric company. The PUC said the fuel price was excessive and not cost-effective.

While not commenting on the Aina Koa Pono issue, Mikulina said in an email interview that Morita’s PUC has been strong leader.

"We have been impressed with many of the commission’s decisions in the past few years. The Maui rate case decision last May was particularly notable, requiring the utility to return money to ratepayers because Maui Electric curtailed renewable wind energy in favor of operating their fossil units.

"They even went further, appending the decision with an unprecedented ‘Commission’s Observations and Perspectives’ that provided expectations of utility operations going forward," Mikulina said.

While the energy and environment debate is important, overshadowing it is the upcoming governor’s election and the contested Democratic primary.

Environmental issues and voters attuned to supporting politicians with strong pro-environment records are not a group to be offended.

Abercrombie will have to consider all that, because when asked if he would reappoint Morita if he were governor today, state Sen. David Ige, Abercrombie’s Democratic opponent, said: "I would reappoint her."

Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser. com.