Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Hawai'i Free Press

Current Articles | Archives

Friday, September 4, 2015
Ward: Coop Does not Mean Lower Rates
By Rep Gene Ward @ 2:28 PM :: 4444 Views :: Energy

ELECTRICAL COOPERATIVE OWNERSHIP MODEL

Statement by Representative Gene Ward commending his colleagues for considering an electrical cooperative ownership model, but says it may miss the mark for lower rates.

News Release from Office of Rep Gene Ward September 3, 2015

Honolulu - The following statement was released by Rep. Gene Ward (R-Hawaii Kai) following a meeting this morning of lawmakers at the State Capitol who expressed their disaffection with the latest NextEra proposal and offered an alternative in the form of an electrical cooperative.

“I am in complete favor of Hawaii’s 100% renewable energy goals by 2045, and I also do not support the NextEra buyout of Hawaiian Electric because of its minimalist approach to rooftop solar and savings to ratepayers.  However, NextEra benefits to our ratepayers and its commitment to reach the state’s renewable energy goals lack credulity.

While I applaud my colleagues for bringing the cooperative option to the table as an alternative to NextEra, I believe this option misses the point.

First and foremost, we must strive for lower rates for consumers.  I am not sure a cooperative business model can do this.  The only model we have in Hawaii is Kauai Island Utility and its rates are among the highest in the State and nation.

Second, I do not believe the ownership structure in and of itself will make the difference.  What Hawaii needs is a game plan that benefits consumers and our environment.  Rooftop solar, wind, wave energy and bio-fuels all need to be used to together, and ownership structure does not determine this.

Third, and most importantly, the Public Utilities Commission exists to regulate the utility.  I believe we have historically given it a pass for failing to hold HECO’s feet to the fire.  We must hold it accountable to ratepayers, fuel adjustments, and the state of affairs that we have today.

Otherwise, I have no objections to considering a cooperative model.”

***

RELATED: Lawmakers Call for Exploration of Publicly Owned Utilities for Hawaii

Links

TEXT "follow HawaiiFreePress" to 40404

Register to Vote

2aHawaii

Aloha Pregnancy Care Center

AntiPlanner

Antonio Gramsci Reading List

A Place for Women in Waipio

Ballotpedia Hawaii

Broken Trust

Build More Hawaiian Homes Working Group

Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii

Cliff Slater's Second Opinion

DVids Hawaii

FIRE

Fix Oahu!

Frontline: The Fixers

Genetic Literacy Project

Grassroot Institute

Habele.org

Hawaii Aquarium Fish Report

Hawaii Aviation Preservation Society

Hawaii Catholic TV

Hawaii Christian Coalition

Hawaii Cigar Association

Hawaii ConCon Info

Hawaii Debt Clock

Hawaii Defense Foundation

Hawaii Family Forum

Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United

Hawaii Farmer's Daughter

Hawaii Federation of Republican Women

Hawaii History Blog

Hawaii Jihadi Trial

Hawaii Legal News

Hawaii Legal Short-Term Rental Alliance

Hawaii Matters

Hawaii Military History

Hawaii's Partnership for Appropriate & Compassionate Care

Hawaii Public Charter School Network

Hawaii Rifle Association

Hawaii Shippers Council

Hawaii Together

HiFiCo

Hiram Fong Papers

Homeschool Legal Defense Hawaii

Honolulu Navy League

Honolulu Traffic

House Minority Blog

Imua TMT

Inouye-Kwock, NYT 1992

Inside the Nature Conservancy

Inverse Condemnation

July 4 in Hawaii

Land and Power in Hawaii

Lessons in Firearm Education

Lingle Years

Managed Care Matters -- Hawaii

MentalIllnessPolicy.org

Missile Defense Advocacy

MIS Veterans Hawaii

NAMI Hawaii

Natatorium.org

National Parents Org Hawaii

NFIB Hawaii News

NRA-ILA Hawaii

Obookiah

OHA Lies

Opt Out Today

Patients Rights Council Hawaii

Practical Policy Institute of Hawaii

Pritchett Cartoons

Pro-GMO Hawaii

RailRipoff.com

Rental by Owner Awareness Assn

Research Institute for Hawaii USA

Rick Hamada Show

RJ Rummel

School Choice in Hawaii

SenatorFong.com

Talking Tax

Tax Foundation of Hawaii

The Real Hanabusa

Time Out Honolulu

Trustee Akina KWO Columns

Waagey.org

West Maui Taxpayers Association

What Natalie Thinks

Whole Life Hawaii