By Staff Reports
(HONOLULU) – A new line on electric bills starting this month will finance the State of Hawai’i Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) program. However, a corresponding reduction of the monthly Public Benefits Fund surcharge, collected to pay for the State’s conservation and energy efficiency programs, means most customers will likely see little net change on their electric bills. For a typical residential customer using 600 kWh a month, the green infrastructure fee will be $1.29 per month.
The new line item, titled “Green Infrastructure Fee,” will appear under the listing of “Current Charges: Electric Service” beginning with December 2014 monthly bills of all Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, and Hawai’i Electric Light customers.
As required by law and authorized by the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission, all residential and commercial customers will pay the Green Infrastructure Fee. The new fee will enable the State of Hawai’i to borrow $150 million for its GEMS program. The State Department of Business, Economic Development will initially administer GEMS. The program will make low-cost loans so green infrastructure improvements are more affordable and accessible for customers who cannot afford upfront costs or cannot qualify for other financing.
The GEMS program will initially focus on clean energy investments so customers can take advantage of green initiatives such as photovoltaic systems, energy storage, advanced inverters and energy monitoring devices.
To learn more, visit the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Energy Office website (http://energy.hawaii.gov/testbeds-initiatives/gems) or call 808.586.2407.
NOTE ON BILL PAYMENTS: Under the tariff, if the Green Infrastructure Fee or any part of the monthly electric bill is not paid, it may result in discontinuation of service in accordance with Rule No. 7, Discontinuance and Restoration of Service. We encourage any customers who have problems paying their electric bills to call their island utility as soon as possible to make payment arrangements before bills become past due. Credit representatives can assist any customer having temporary difficulties.
Numbers to call for bill inquiries, also listed on each company’s website, are:
808-548-7311 from O’ahu
808-871-9777 from Maui
1-877-871-8461 toll free from Molokai and Lana’i
808-969-6999 from Hilo
808-329-3584 from Kona
808-885-4605 from Waimea