Devil’s In The Details With HECO’s Solar Plans
Talking Story…Sen. Mike Gabbard
Aloha e Friends,
Hope you and your family are well. A big congrats to the Leeward Boom girls (13-14 year-olds) Kapolei soccer team for winning the AYSO U-14 Girls National Championship in California this past July.
As always, please contact me by phone at 586-6830 or email sengab-bard@capitol.hawaii.gov if I can help you or your family in any way.
Hearing Set For HECO’s Update On Solar Crisis
You might have heard in the news that Hawaiian
Electric Company submitted responses to Public Utilities Commission’s decisions and orders on Aug. 26.
These filings lay out HECO’s plans to ensure that more solar PVs can be connected to the grid and detail how they will reduce electricity prices and modernize the grid.
Some of the high points that do look encouraging are that HECO plans to have 65 percent of our energy needs met with renewable energy and lower our electricity costs 20 percent by 2030.
Of course, the devil is in the details of this 2,700-page filing, because HECO also proposes to raise the cost for those who have or want to hook up solar.
I’ll be co-chairing an informational briefing at the Capitol at 1 p.m. Sept. 19 in room 325, if you’d like to hear more on HECO’s plans for making sure that more people can get solar PV systems connected to the grid.
Rid-A-Fridge Program Saves You On Electricity Costs And Puts Money In Your Pocket
If you’re ready to get rid of that old clunker fridge, the state’s energy-efficiency program manager, Hawaii Energy, has a refrigerator/freezer recycling program called “Rid-A-Fridge,” where Oahu residents receive $50 when they turn in their second refrigerator/freezer (full size in working condition).
Hawaii Energy also will pick up the refrigerator/freezer at no charge. Five hundred households can participate based on funding availability.
Residents who give up a second, older refrigerator save $292 on Oahu a year in electricity costs.
Here are the steps to participate:
* First, call for a free pickup. On Oahu, call 537-5577.
* Second, complete and send in application. You’ll receive the application during the pickup, and it must be postmarked within 60 days of the pickup.
Grand Opening Of New Hope Leeward Church Kapolei Campus
State Rep. Sharon Har and I presented a certificate from the state Legislature to Senior Pastor Mike Lwin and Campus Pastor Alex Panida Aug. 24 to celebrate the grand opening of the New Hope Leeward Kapolei Campus, which is a 27,000-square-foot ministry center.
With a vision to turn Leeward neighbors into the ohana of God and a passion to present the message of Jesus Christ in a creative yet practical way, New Hope Leeward continues to build leaders and grow, with more than 5,000 visitors in weekend attendance.
For more information, visit newhopeleeward.org.
Listen Story Meeting
My next “Listen Story” meeting will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Sept. 27 at Ewa Mahiko District Park.
