#Hawaii Energy

The Upcountry Energy Resilience Project will host a virtual event titled “PUC 101: Public Utilities Commission + the Energy Equity Docket” on Friday, April 11 at 9 a.m.

A federal grant award of $40 million will fund the Puʻuloa Micrgrid, a renewable energy project at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam that aims to provide 99 megawatts of firm energy and interconnect to the Oʻahu grid.

Suspension of service disconnections for all Hawaiian Electric customers on Maui has been extended through at least Aug. 31, 2024, in accordance with the extension of Gov. Josh Green’s emergency proclamation. Maui customers who are financially challenged by the devastating wildfires will not have to worry about potential disconnection of their electric service, according to a company announcement.

Hawai‘i Energy, the state’s energy conservation program, last week announced the hiring of Dan Mestas as principal development engineer, and Travis Hiramoto and Melissa Onishi as energy advisors.

Suspension of service disconnections for all Hawaiian Electric customers on Maui has been extended through at least May 4, 2024, in accordance with the extension of Governor Josh Green’s emergency proclamation.

Originally set to close on Sept. 29, 2023, Hawaiʻi Energy will continue to accept applications on a first come, first served basis, until funds are exhausted. Nonprofits, small businesses, and restaurants that are pursuing energy efficiency projects may apply for a grant of up to $6,000, which may cover up to 100% of eligible project costs. 

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.

Hawai’i Energy can award a total of $592,000 in rebates for eligible installation projects of electric vehicle charging stations completed between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

At the meeting on Sept. 14, members will consider changes to “allow flexibility for innovative approaches and techniques to effectively use energy.”

Hawaiʻi Energy is seeking applicants for its 2022-2023 EmPOWER Grant program, which is designed specifically for nonprofits, small businesses and restaurants that are pursuing energy efficiency projects at their facilities.

Hawaiʻi Energy has launched new rebates for residents who are investing in energy-efficient equipment and installations.

At drive-thru events last week, several hundred Moloka‘i residents arrived by vehicles and even a riding lawn mower to pick up a free kit containing energy-saving items.

The 9th Annual Hawaii Energy Conference on May 10 and 12 will feature two keynote speakers: Abigail Anthony, Commissioner of the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, and Amy Myers Jaffe, Research Professor and Managing Director of the Climate Policy Lab at the Fletcher School of Tufts University.

rgy, the state’s Public Benefits Fund administrator that focuses on energy-efficiency education and clean-energy initiatives, announced that Caroline Carl has been appointed to serve as interim executive director, effective March 22.

With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed into law, Hawaiʻi Energy has identified specific clean energy opportunities for the state and local businesses.

During Hawaiʻi Energy’s Free Bulb Swap promotion, Hawai‘i residents can trade old, inefficient bulbs for LED lighting at participating HouseMart Ace Hardware stores on Maui, O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island.

Swell Energy Inc. is enrolling 6,000 O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island and Maui solar and energy storage customers in its Home Battery Rewards program with Hawaiian Electric, offering significant incentives for existing and new energy storage systems powered by rooftop solar.

“Many of Hawai‘i’s businesses and nonprofits are still grappling with high energy costs as they try to keep their doors open through these trying times,” said Chester Carson, affordability & accessibility program implementer at Hawai‘i Energy. “Through the EmPOWER Grant program, Hawai‘i Energy is offering more than $600,000 in grants to help organizations implement energy efficiency projects at their facilities that will save both energy and money.”

Hawaiʻi Energy announced that it has extended the deadline for small businesses and restaurants in Maui County to receive financial assistance toward installing energy-efficient lighting through its Energy Advantage Program.

Hawaiʻi Energy is offering free energy-efficient product upgrades and installation to eligible residential properties in Maui County, including senior housing and affordable housing complexes.