NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
APPLICATION OF HAWAII GAS FOR APPROVAL OF RATE INCREASES
AND REVISED RATE SCHEDULES AND RULES.
Docket No. 2024-0158
The STATE OF HAWAII PUBLIC UTILITES COMISSION (“Commission”), pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statues (“HRS”) §§ 269-12 and 269-16, HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that it will hold a public hearing regarding Hawaii Gas’ (the “Company”) request for a rate increase, as stated in its Application for Approval of Rate Increases and Revised Rate Schedules and Rules (“Application”) filed on July 26, 2024. The virtual public hearing for Kauai residents will be held, in conjunction with the Hilo public hearing, and on:
Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Online (via web browser or WebEx mobile device app)
Link:
https://hpuc.my.webex.com/hpuc.my/j.php?MTID=m5719c9815 99eaa416df35e6087ce0d4d
Meeting number: 2557 567 6777
Meeting Password: GSdgcCkz282 (47342259 when dialing from a
phone or video system)
Telephone
Dial-in Number: +1-650-479-3208
Access code: 255 756 76777
Hawaii Gas is a public utility that provides gas service to approximately 36,000 customers on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. The Company’s operations include the purchase, production, transmission, distribution, and sale of natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
On July 26, 2024, Hawaii Gas filed its Application requesting a total revenue increase of $24.346 million, or an approximately 17.67% increase over revenue at current effective rates. The Company further seeks approval of a fair rate of return of 9.05% on rate base, revisions to its rate schedules and rules, and approval of two tariff riders. Under its proposal, Hawaii Gas would recover upgrade costs to its bare and coated steel replacement programs through its Main Upgrade Program (“MUP”) Rider. Incremental annual increases to the Company’s insurance premiums would be addressed by the Insurance Premium Recovery (“IPR”) Rider. By island, Hawaii Gas’ proposed rate increases are as follows:
ISLAND REVENUE INCREASE PERCENTAGE
Oahu $24,375,527 19.42%
Hawaii $ (36,067) -0.42%
Maui $ 69,936 3.03%
Kauai $ (62,723) -4.89%
Molokai $ 3,138 5.21%
Lanai $ (3,673) -13.23%
The Commission will investigate whether Hawaii Gas’ proposed relief is just and reasonable. The foregoing is a brief summary of the requests included in the Application. Copies of the Application are available for public review through the Commission’s electronic Case and Document Management System, accessible at https://hpuc.my.site.com/cdms/s/search, Docket Number 2024-0158. In addition, copies of the Application are also available for review by contacting the Commission’s Honolulu Office [(808) 586-2020], Kauai District Office [(808) 274-3232], or the Division of Consumer Advocacy [(808) 586-2800].
All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing to state their views on Hawaii Gas’ Application. Any person may request an auxiliary aid/service or an accommodation due to a disability by contracting the Commission no later than 5 business days prior to the hearing date. Requests made as early as possible have a greater likelihood of being fulfilled.
Statements may also be e-mailed to the Public Utilities Commission at puc@hawaii.gov or mailed to the Public Utilities Commission, 465 South King Street, Room 103, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. All written statements should reference Docket No. 2024-0158. Motions to Intervene or Participate in this proceeding shall comply with subchapter 4, Rules of Practice and Procedure Before the Public Utilities Commission, Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 16, Chapter 601. A motion to intervene or participate in this proceeding shall be filed with the Commission’s Honolulu Office by November 8, 2024.
______________________________
Leodoloff R. Asuncion, Jr.
Chair
(TGI1470371 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/28/24)
