SUPPORT HB1567: Energy Affordability and Equity

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Please take a moment to support affordability and equity in electrical bills and disconnections! HB1567, uplifting the need to mitigate high energy costs and the harms of utility disconnections on vulnerable households, has a hearing this Thursday, February 5 at 9:00am in the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, in room 325. Your testimony will help keep this important measure alive and moving this session.

What HB1567 does: 

HB1567 directs the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to ensure that electricity for essential needs remains affordable, and to establish cutoff protections for households that may be especially harmed by energy disconnections. Among its provisions, the bill specifically directs the PUC to identify the minimum amount of energy needed to provide essential electric services for all residents; to develop fairer billing structures that keep the cost of electricity for these services affordable; and to work to ensure continued delivery of electricity to meet critical medical needs of vulnerable residents, such as those who rely on oxygen machines or refrigerated medications, in the event of weather events, emergencies, or their inability to pay their electrical bills.

Why this is important:

Hawaiʻi’s high energy costs and low income levels have resulted in alarming rates of utility disconnections, making clear the urgent need for rate reforms. In 2024, 10,000 residential households experienced energy disconnections—over three times the number of disconnections before the pandemic. Many if not most of these households include extremely low-income families, renters, kūpuna, and/or medically vulnerable residents, who may be forced to choose between paying for electricity or other essential needs like rent, food, and healthcare. 

Ensuring affordable, reliable access to electricity is not just an economic issue, it is a matter of public health, resilience, and humanity. 

Sample Testimony:

Testimony instructions

  1. Register for a capitol website account if you haven’t yet (youʻll need to confirm your registration by responding to an automated email)

  2. Sign in to capitol.hawaii.gov with your registration information and click the "Submit Testimony" button.

  3. Enter "HB1567" where it says "Enter Bill or Measure."

  4. Input your information and your written testimony, select your testimony option(s)—in-person + written, remotely + written, written only. Please consider providing verbal testimony (in-person or remotely) if you are able! 

    Note: Virtual testimony option may be disabled 24 hours before the hearing.

  5. If you are testifying via Zoom, be sure to review these instructions (page 4)