Speak up at PUC hearings
The upcoming Public Utilities Commission hearings on the Hawaii Electric Industries-NextEra acquisition provide all of Hawaii Island ratepayers the opportunity to let the PUC know how we feel about the problems we have on Hawaii with burgeoning electricity costs, poor service, grid incapacity and the failure of HECO to provide an Integrated Resource Plan to incorporate our island’s vast renewable energy resources. It’s our chance to let the PUC know we support the effort of the Hawaii Island Energy Cooperative to implement a new model for electricity sustainability on Hawaii Island — a model that is based on public ownership of energy production and transmission. After all, most of our state’s renewable energy resources are owned by the “public trust.”
PUC public hearings are set for 6 p.m. Sept. 29 at Hilo High School and at 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at Kealakehe High School. Testimony can be sent in by email to hawaii.puc @hawaii.gov.
It’s not a difficult choice. Do we want to continue under a monopoly business model that benefits a few or do we want an equitable system that develops and transmits energy owned by the people for the people?
Mililani B. Trask
Honolulu