State PUC Listening Sessions, Docket Issues Announced

The Hawai’i State Public Utilities Commission has announced two public listening sessions on the Big Island relative to the NextEra-HEI docket, in addition to information regarding topics that will be discussed.

Members of the public who are interested in testifying and offering comment at either the Hilo or Kona sessions should review the information on the agenda and testify only to the issues listed.

Each speaker will have three minutes to make their comments. All verbal comments will be recorded and entered into the docket. Those who do not believe that they will complete their thoughts in three minutes should send written testimony to the Commission via fax, e-mail, or regular mail.

The PUC says that written statements will not be taken at the listening sessions.

To submit written comments, refer to Docket Number 2015-0022 and send it to: Public Utilities Commission, 465 A. King Street #103, Honolulu, HI, 96813; e-mail puc.comments@hawaii.gov, or fax (808) 586-2066.

Issues for Docket No. 2015-0022:

1. Whether the Proposed Transaction is in the public interest.
   1. Whether approval of the Proposed Transaction would be in the best interests of the State’s economy and the communities served by the HECO Companies.
   2. Whether the Proposed Transaction, if approved, provides significant, quantifiable benefits to the HECO Companies’ ratepayers in both the short and the long term beyond those proposed by the HECO Companies in recent regulatory filings.
   3. Whether the proposed transaction will impact the ability of the HECO Companies’ employees to provide safe, adequate, and reliable service at reasonable cost.
   4. Whether the proposed financing and corporate restructuring proposed in the Application is reasonable.
   5. Whether adequate safeguards exist to prevent cross subsidization of any affiliates and to ensure the commission’s ability to audit the books and records of the HECO Companies, including affiliate transactions.
   6. Whether adequate safeguards exist to protect the HECO Companies’ ratepayers from any business and financial risks associated with the operations of NextEra and/or any of its affiliates.
   7. Whether the Proposed Transaction, if approved, will enhance or detrimentally impact the State’s clean energy goals.
   8. Whether the transfer, if approved, would potentially diminish competition in Hawaii’s various energy markets and, if so, what regulatory safeguards are required to mitigate such adverse impacts.
2. Whether the Applicants are fit, willing, and able to properly provide safe, adequate, reliable electric service at the lowest reasonable cost in both the short and the long term.
   1. Whether the Proposed Transaction, if approved, will result in more affordable electric rates for the customers of the HECO Companies.
   2. Whether the Proposed Transaction, if approved, will result in an improvement in service and reliability for the customers of the HECO Companies.
   3. Whether the Proposed Transaction, if approved, will improve the HECO Companies’ management and performance.
   4. Whether the Proposed Transaction, if approved, will improve the financial soundness of the HECO Companies.
3. Whether the Proposed Transaction, if approved, would diminish, in any way, the commission’s current regulatory authority over the HECO Companies, particularly in light of the fact that the ultimate corporate control of the HECO Companies will reside outside of the State.
4. Whether the financial size of the HECO Companies relative to NextEra’s other affiliates would result in a diminution of regulatory control by the commission.
5. Whether NextEra, FPL, or any other affiliate has been subject to compliance or enforcement orders issued by any regulatory agency or court.
6. Whether any conditions are necessary to ensure that the Proposed Transaction is not detrimental to the interests of the HECO Companies’ ratepayers or the State and to avoid any adverse consequences and, if so, what conditions are necessary.