Hawaii lawmakers did not pass legislation that would have helped clear the way for construction of an undersea electricity cable between the islands.

The measure would have made electricity customers pay the bill for the unknown cost of a cable connecting proposed wind turbine plants on Molokai and Lanai to the population center in Honolulu.

It also aimed to establish rules for constructing the cable, allowing the electric utility to collect surcharges from ratepayers for cable installation, buy the cable after it is built and work with the state Public Utilities Commission to develop the project.

The legislation stalled in conference committee last week and died for the year when the Legislature adjourned Thursday without taking further action.

On the Net
SB367: www.capitol.hawaii.gov