Regulators decline to approve increase in Hawaii Electric Light rates
Interim ruling holds rates at current levels; final decision to come later
Release Date: 11/14/2019
HILO, Nov. 14, 2019 – The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has issued an interim decision that results in no increase in electric rates at this time for Hawaii Electric Light Company customers.
In its rate review filing in December 2018, the company had sought a 3.4 percent increase in revenues or $13.4 million.
In requesting the rate increase, the company cited continued improvements to the power grid to help integrate even more renewable resources while improving reliability. It also described extensive vegetation management work that is credited with reducing outages and their duration during storms.
An interim decision is one step in the ratemaking process. The PUC will continue to review the rate request and other matters and will later issue a final decision that could result in a rate increase or decrease and other changes.
If the final decision results in a rate decrease, the difference will be refunded to customers with interest. If a higher amount is approved, the increase will be applied going forward, not retroactively.
The decision and order is available on the PUC's website, https://dms.puc.hawaii.gov/dms/. The docket is 2018-0368.
