[PART VII.  PUBLIC BENEFITS FUND]

 

     [§269‑121]  Public benefits fund; authorization.  (a)  The public utilities commission, by order or rule, may redirect all or a portion of the funds collected through the current demand‑side management surcharge by Hawaii's electric utilities into a public benefits fund that may be established by the public utilities commission.

     (b)  If the public utilities commission establishes a public benefits fund, the surcharge shall be known as the public benefits fee.  Moneys in the fund shall be ratepayer funds that shall be used to support energy-efficiency and demand-side management programs and services, subject to the review and approval of the public utilities commission.  These moneys shall not be available to meet any current or past general obligations of the State. [L 2006, c 162, pt of §1]