More than 350 residents responded to the Public Utilities Commission’s invitation to comment on Hawaiian Electric Co.’s energy transition plan.
In August, Hawaiian Electric Co. sent to the PUC a plan that set a goal of generating 65 percent of HECO’s power from renewable resources by 2030, tripling the amount of solar power and cutting the average bill for most customers by 20 percent.
On Sept. 12 the PUC invited the public to comment on HECO’s plan. The deadline for submitting comments was Monday. The PUC said it will consider the comments in the initial review of HECO’s proposals.
Proposed rate changes, grandfathered-in policies for rooftop solar owners, and the utility’s timeline were residents’ main concern.
"Charging people extra for using less energy off the grid is unfair and will stifle investment in roof-top solar. HECO’s plan should encourage not discourage this investment," said Michael Moore of Honolulu.
HECO proposed a $55 monthly fee for each residential customer — solar and nonsolar — starting in 2017, and an additional charge of about $16 for new photovoltaic customers. To offset the $55 fee, HECO would lower its charge per kilowatt-hour, which would benefit nonsolar customers the most. It would also charge a connection fee to new solar customers and decrease what it pays for solar power sent into the grid from rooftop systems.
Residents also asked to be a part of the transition, offering up solutions to improve energy efficency and their impact on the grid.
"Let’s allow customers be a part of the solution, such as emphasizing on-grid energy storage and time of use policies, and contribute to a more stable grid," said Eileen Herring of Honolulu.
Comments also focused on the new sources of energy proposed by HECO, including its plan to shift from burning oil to liquefied natural gas in its generators.
"Retrofitting for LNG seems a complete waste of time and money when we have so many renewables ready to generate or already generating power here that MECO (Maui Electric Co.) is curtailing wind energy production," said Brodie Lockard.
The PUC will hold public hearings — with dates yet to be determined —and then decide whether to approve all or part of the plan or reject it.
