HI HCR150

Urges the Public Utilities Commission to act in the public interest regarding solar energy interconnection and to resist pressure from regulated utilities.

Addresses approximately 2,600 pending statewide applications from consumers seeking to connect solar energy systems to Hawaiian Electric Company grids.

Criticizes Hawaii Electric Light Company's January 20, 2015 request to reduce the rate paid to solar customers from 29 cents to 15 cents per kilowatt-hour on Oahu, with similar reductions proposed for neighbor islands.

Condemns Hawaii Electric Light Company's suspension of new solar interconnection approvals in high solar production areas as an apparent pressure tactic to force the Public Utilities Commission to approve the rate reduction.

Directs the Public Utilities Commission to evaluate the utility's rate reduction request solely on its merits and in accordance with its duty to ensure just and reasonable rates while maintaining service reliability.