Requires electric utilities to apply a progressive block rate structure for residential consumers that charges a higher rate to consumers with a monthly consumption of over 500 kWh than to consumers with a monthly consumption of 500 kWh or less.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Section 269-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) All rates, fares, charges, classifications, schedules, rules, and practices made, charged, or observed by any public utility, or by two or more public utilities jointly, shall be just and reasonable and shall be filed with the public utilities commission[.]; provided that, in addition, electric utilities shall apply a progressive block rate structure for residential consumers that charges consumers with consumption of over five hundred kilowatt hours per month a higher rate than consumers with consumption of five hundred kilowatt hours per month or less. The rates, fares, classifications, charges, and rules of every public utility shall be published by the public utility in such manner as the public utilities commission may require, and copies shall be furnished to any person on request.

To the extent the contested case proceedings referred to in chapter 91 are required in any rate proceeding in order to ensure fairness and to provide due process to parties [which] that may be affected by rates approved by the commission, such evidentiary hearings shall be conducted expeditiously and shall be conducted as a part of the ratemaking proceeding."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that electric utilities shall obtain approval of and implement a progressive block rate structure for residential consumers that is in compliance with this Act no later than December 31, 2007.