Community Forum on Electricity

Community Enterprises, Inc. is hosting a free West Hawai’i community forum on electricity on June 18.

The forum will present the topics of the Hawaiian Electric and NextEra Energy merger and what the $43 billion purchase means to clean energy in Hawai’i and to the utility’s customers of Hawai’i County.

Among the topics and questions planned for discussion are:

Benefits of the NextEra acquisition to Hawai’i.

Can NextEra meet the state’s 100 percent renewable energy goal by 2045?

Rooftop solar and whether or not potential obstacles stand in the way of continued solar success.

Can consumers successfully disconnect from the grid?

The utility’s revenue model and how it’s relevant to Hawai’i’s solar economy.

Is Hawai’i ready to adopt NextEra’s plans to upgrade its newly acquired power plants with another imported fossil fuel, and all in exchange for the promise of cheaper utility rates?

How will the power size, money, and political influence by the Florida-based company transform Hawai’i’s energy future? Will Hawai’i’s PUC protect the public interest?

A panel of experts will be at the meeting to discuss and answer the above questions and others that are important to customers. Featured speakers will include Hawai’i Electric Light president Jay Ignacio, Henry Curtis of Ililani Media, and Richard Ha, HEIC president.

The forum will be held at the County Council Chambers in the West Hawai’i Civic Center. Pupus and beverages will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m. The forum will begin at 6 p.m.

Community Enterprises, Inc. is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to bring educational resources to the residents of West Hawai’i so they could better participate in the public policy issues that affect their lives and their communities.