JULY 20, 2016 - VOLUME 31, ISSUE 29
The
Molokai olokai Dispatch T H E I S L A N D ’S N E W S S O U R C E S I N C E 198 5
NextEra Electric Merger Rejected By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor
A
$4.3 billion merger deal between Hawaiian Electric Companies and Florida-based NextEra Energy was rejected last week by the state Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Many Molokai residents, along with others around the state, had raised concerns about the merger and what it could mean for Hawaii's energy future. Commissioners of the PUC shared many of those concerns in the decision they issued last Friday. Commissioners based their rejection on two major factors: whether the merger was in the public interest, and if the utility company was fit and able to perform the service currently offered. The PUC identified five major areas of concern: 1) benefits to ratepayers; 2) risks to ratepayers; 3) Applicants’ clean energy commitments; 4) the proposed Change of Control’s effect on local governance; and 5) the proposed Change of Control’s effect on competition in local energy markets. While the commission concluded that the utility met the second criteria, the application failed to demonstrate its benefit to public interest. "...The Commission concluded that the benefits offered by applicants are both inadequate and uncertain," states a PUC press release. "The applicants proposed a combination of rate credits, investment funds, and a rate case moratorium. Upon reviewing the record, the Commission concluded that each of these lacked sufficient assurances that they would translate into tangible, enforceable benefits to ratepayers." If the merger had moved forward, it would have been one of the biggest business deals in Hawaii history. Last September, the PUC conducted a public hearing on Molokai. A majority of attendees testified that they opposed the merger. “Big is not better any longer,” said Cheryl Corbiell, a member of I Aloha Molokai, a group that advocates for local energy alternatives, saying she was “adamantly against” a merger. “They [NextEra] got a lot of money but they don’t have vested interest in the individual islands… There needs to be a changing perspective in energy… going smaller rather than bigger.” Matt Yamashita, who used to work in the solar industry on Molokai, said at the September hearing he has been skeptical of NextEra since the company’s first meeting on Molokai in the spring of 2015. “From what I understand, community meetings across island have shown close to 90 percent opposition [to the merger, from news reports],” he said. “I found [NextEra’s] track record was questionable and didn’t meet the needs of the community.” For many, keeping it local and find-
Merger Continued pg. 2
HOGGING THE
AWARDS By Molokai Dispatch Staff
T
en youth representing Molokai 4-H traveled to Oahu with their animals for the state competition. Some of them were named the best in Hawaii.
Pictured here, Nainoa Bishaw-Mokiao and his hog (bottom) earned the title of Grand Champion Market Hog, while Saije Aiana (top middle) was Grand Champ of the carcass category. Naiau Arce (top
Puko`o Fire Station to be Relocated By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor
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ith flood zones changing and concerns about rising water levels, Molokai has been participating in an important discussion that's taking place globally: where can we move? Recently, that conversation focused on the Puko`o Fire Station, a small outpost that provides emergency services to the east Molokai community. Its current location near the ocean has been identified as a flood zone during tsunamis and hurricanes. Contrary to some rumors, a meeting held earlier this month was not to announce the closure of the Puko`o Fire Station but rather to discuss its relocation. "It is our hope that we can have a dialogue as to what you hope to see; the fire dept. is not moving out of Mana`e," said County Councilmember Stacy Crivello. "What what we need to hear about why we probably have to move mauka. [We need to]put our firefighters in a safety area. It's not if we have some sort of flood or tsunami, it's when." Maui Fire Chief Jeffery Murray
thanked the dozens of attendees for their support of the fire department. "Basically we want to hear from the community how we can better serve you and ultimately we want to move that station out of the flood and inundation zone and into a hurricane safe building," he said. "We want to pick your brains on where we could find a property [to] build a plan.... I know this has been talked about for many years. This is your station, your department, and we want to serve you as best as possible." Attendees suggested five possible locations that the fire department will explore. Murray suggested looking at either county or state land, or the possibility of land donations from a private owner. He said currently, the fire station is on land leased from the state. Murray said keeping the station within a five-mile radius of residences will best serve the community and also keep insurance rates down. He also suggested it be near Kilohana School. Other important factors to consider are access to water lines and sites without
Fire Station Continued pg. 2
right) took Reserve Champion in Steer Showmanship, and Acey Reyes (top left) was named Hog Senior Showmanship Champ. For more information, see page 2. Photos by Ku`ulei Arce.
THIS WEEK’S
Dispatch
Paddle Races Highlight Molokai Pg. 7
Philippine Consulate Outreach Coming to Molokai Pg. 7
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