#electric bill

“This Earth Day, take a good look at what’s plugged in to outlets around your home or business. What can be used less, turned off or unplugged to save energy?” said Rebecca Dayhuff Matsushima, Hawaiian Electric vice president of customer service. “Small changes that you make can make a big difference over time.”

Hawaiian Electric customers should prepare for potential increases in energy costs in the coming months, driven by rising global oil prices linked to escalating geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran, according to a company press release.

Hawaiian Electric has expanded the Shift and Save pilot program on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island to 16,000 participants who will test new time-of-use or TOU rates starting Feb. 1.  Commencement of the study on Maui is temporarily suspended; however, eligible Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi customers may voluntarily enroll in the TOU rates.

US Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that Hawaiʻi was awarded more than $7.4 million in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). She said this funding will help individuals and families with low incomes in Hawaiʻi lower their home energy costs, such as their cooling bills in the summer.

Hawaiian Electric has extended the suspension of service disconnections for all Maui customers through at least Nov. 6. Maui customers who are financially challenged by the devastating wildfires will not have to worry about their electric service.

Electric customers in need may apply for a one-time credit to reduce their energy bills under LIHEAP–the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

On Maui, the typical residential bill for electricity used in September (which will be included in bills most customers receive in October), is expected to be down 5% or about $11. On Lāna‘i, residential bills are forecast to be down 9% or about $22; and on Moloka‘i, bills are expected to be down 14% or about $34.

“Molokai, which is 60% Hawaiian by population, is challenged with energy rates nearly 400% higher than the national average,” said Todd Yamashita, president of Ho‘āhu Energy Cooperative Moloka‘i. “We are excited about this opportunity because it’s helping us create, on our own terms, an energy future that is reflective of the resilient and resourceful nature of our people.”

The federally funded Weatherization Assistance Program provides for an in-home audit to determine energy efficiency improvements, while ensuring health and safety, and the purchase of items, such as new Energy Star refrigerators, solar water heaters, CFL and LED light bulbs and more, to reduce the energy burden for low income households.

Hawaiian Electric is forecasting that residential bills for customers in Maui and Hawaiʻi counties will rise about 20% over the next several months, while O‘ahu customers will see an estimated 10% increase.

Millions of dollars in federal assistance to households behind on rent and electric bills are now available through the County of Maui.

The moratorium on disconnections for nonpayment has been extended through March 31, 2021, by order of the Public Utilities Commission.

The MEO (LIHEAP) provides energy credits for heating and/or cooling assistance to low-income households (150% of the federal poverty level, e.g. $45,195 for a family of four) throughout Maui County.  This is a a one-time payment to offset utility bill (electric or gas) expenses in one of two ways.

Hawaiian Electric residential customers may be receiving higher bills for May than the previous month. The company outlined several reasons electric bills may be higher…

The project would provide energy from its solar array and battery at a rate of about 17 cents per kilowatt hour, less than the present cost of diesel generation

Customers of the Hawaiian Electric Companies, including Maui Electric could see lower electric bills as a result of the federal corporate income tax cut.

So far in 2016, Hawaii Energy reports it has saved customers in Hawaiʻi, Honolulu and Maui Counties more than $21 million on electric bills.

On Maui, the typical residential bill is now $141.57. The last time when bills on Maui were lower than this month was in September of 2010 when the typical bill was $141.10.

Maui Electric Company is requesting a rate increase for Maui County customers in 2010.  The 9.7% increase translates to $28.2 million.  The funds generated are projected for use toward capital improvement projects and increased operating and maintenance costs. If the full request is approved by the PUC, a typical residential home on Maui would see […]