Consumer Advocacy – Public Utilities (DCA)

Energy Saving Kitchen Tips, Kona Water Service Rate Case, Lifeline Income Guidelines, MECO Rate Case, CA’s Microgrid Reply Brief

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established the National Verifier in 2016 to make Lifeline eligibility determinations and perform a variety of other functions necessary to enroll subscribers into the Lifeline Program. Hawaii soft launched with four other states and one territory back in October 2018 to join the National Verifier. The soft launch period will ...
Read More FCC Launches National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier in Hawaii

The public hearing relating to the application of Kona Water Service Company, Inc. for approval of a general rate increase and revisions of its tariff will be held as follows: Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. West Hawaii Civic Center County Council Chambers 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 View the full public ...
Read More May 30, Public Hearing for Kona Water Service Company, Inc. Rate Case, Docket No. 2018-0388

The public hearing relating to the application of Kona Water Service Company, Inc. for approval of a general rate increase and revisions of its tariff will be held as follows: Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. West Hawaii Civic Center County Council Chambers 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 The purpose of these ...
Read More Notice of Public Hearing – Kona Water Service Company, Inc. Rate Case, Docket No. 2018-0388

Act 200, signed into law on July 10, 2018, establishes a Microgrid Services Tariff. A microgrid is a small energy system with local control capability that can disconnect from the larger electricity grid and operate autonomously. The Consumer Advocate (CA) recently filed its Reply Brief on its position regarding the need for and application of ...
Read More Consumer Advocate Files Reply Brief Regarding Microgrids – Docket No. 2018-0163

Kona Water Service Company, Inc. (KWSC) seeks the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) approval for a net increase in revenue of $660,216 for its water and sewer operations. The proposed increase is comprised of proposed increases of: (1) $452,560, or approximately 12.8%, for water service; and (2) $207,656, or approximately 11.4%, for sewer price. If approved, ...
Read More Kona Water Service Company, Inc. Files for Rate Increase – Docket No. 2018-0388

With natural disasters and severe weather events occurring with growing frequency and intensity, it is more critical than ever for consumers to be prepared for these emergencies. Three components to emergency preparedness involve being informed about the different types of emergencies to which your state and local area are vulnerable, making an emergency plan, and ...
Read More NARUC Launches Consumers and Catastrophes Guide

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved a change in rate for Maui Electric Company, Limited (MECO). The PUC determined that the appropriate return on common equity (“ROE”) for the 2018 calendar test year is 9.50%. In August 2018, the PUC approved an interim rate increase of $12,481,00 or approximately 3.82% for MECO. You can view ...
Read More PUC Approves MECO Rate Hike – Docket No. 2017-0150

LIHEAP Program, Young Brothers’ Rate Increase Approval, CA SOPs for HECO PPA Applications, Reduce Hot Water Costs, PUC Commissioner Appointment

Held annually in mid March, Fix a Leak Week encourages you to check for leaks around your home, helping to prevent nearly 1 trillion gallons of water wasted nationwide from leaks. For more information on Fix a Leak Wee, visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense webpage.