NextEra-HEI hearings likely to be extended again
Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Chairman Randy Iwase said the hearings to review NextEra Energy Inc.’s proposed $4.3 billion purchase of Hawaiian Electric Industries likely will be extended to a third round of testimony that will resume in late February.
Today is the final day of the second portion of hearings. The public hearings run from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center.
“We’re trying to confirm dates, if we don’t finish by tomorrow,” Iwase said Tuesday. “It appears, given the number of witnesses and the time it has taken for each witness, we have to find dates.”
Iwase said it looks like the PUC may be able to secure the same conference room at the Blaisdell from Feb. 29 to March 4.
He said the third round should conclude the evidentiary portion of the review. After the close of hearings, the parties will be able to file closing briefs, and then the board will take the entire application under advisement. Iwase said he could not predict when the PUC will make its decision about the sale.
“At the commission we have to make sure we do it in a methodical way so we can, to the best of our abilities, get this decision right,” Iwase said.
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3 responses to “NextEra-HEI hearings likely to be extended again”
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I like being the first one to open up a blog. People, this merger is bad for Hawaii, a monopoly of a big business taking over Hawaii residents’ pocketbooks. Imagine saving a whole $1.00 per month but we have no guarantees, absolutely NONE, that this will be good for Hawaii. There are no guarantees that NextEra will keep rates low for the consumers, there are no guarantees that our solar industry will be viable for many years to come. PUC sold us out when they did away with net metering and changed the way the rate structure will cost Hawaii consumers of solar energy. For me, I’m tired of the constant increase in user fees, gasoline, solar, water, electric, rail etc. etc. Every little bit adds up and every little bit hurts me living on a disability social security which must include food and other essentials.
VOTE NO against this merger! Screw the big business monopoly and make your voices heard. This is shibai!
And your solution is? Remember though to be careful what you wish for – it may come true!
Sad. HECO employees still oppose the sale even if their union likes it. Why have a union?