Maui Electric Files Customer Refund Plan with PUC

MECO truck, photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Maui Electric Company submitted its plan to refund $7.8 million plus interest to electric customers across the county.

The refund stems from a decision handed down by the PUC in May that cited the company in part for operating inefficiencies and poor service.

The company is seeking a partial stay asking the PUC for reconsideration and clarification that if approved, would ultimately result in a smaller refund amount.

An earlier announcement had indicated that one-time refunds would range from $39 to $49 for a typical resident; but if the company request is granted, MECO officials say refunds would be about $30 for a Maui customer using 600 kilowatt hours per month; and $24 for a typical customer on Lanai or Molokai using 400 kilowatt hours per month.

According to information released by MECO, the company anticipates it will be able to start issuing the refunds in the form of credit on customer bills beginning in September, with completion of the process anticipated by the end of October, 2013.  The dates, however, are still dependent upon PUC decisions on the proposed plan.

The refund amounts will vary depending on electric use, and covers the period from June 1, 2012, and July 31, 2013.

Under the latest MECO filing, the company requested: An opportunity to provide information to be included on the record through an evidentiary hearing; clarification of the accounting treatment for certain costs; reconsideration of the reduction in the rate of return on equity that is used to determine electric rates; and a stay on refunding only the amount related to the issues identified in the filings.

***Supporting information courtesy Maui Electric Company.