Big Island mayor says Oahu consumers should share biofuel refinery cost

HILO >> Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi says it’s only fair that electricity customers on Oahu share the cost of a state-mandated transition to green energy sources.

West Hawaii Today reported Wednesday that Kenoi submitted written testimony to the state Public Utilities Commission for an application to spread the cost of a proposed Kau biofuel refinery.

The PUC is considering whether ratepayers should subsidize a private alternative energy startup. If Hawaiian Electric customers on Oahu don’t share the costs with ratepayers of its Big Island subsidiary Hawaiian Electric Light, Big Island customers could see electricity bills jump $10 or more.

Kenoi says sharing of the surcharge would help mitigate the cost of the project and help protect Big Island ratepayers.