The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s announced Friday its effective electric rates are now the second lowest in the state for the month of December at just over $0.27 per kWh. “We are pleased that we are able to pass on
The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s announced Friday its effective electric rates are now the second lowest in the state for the month of December at just over $0.27 per kWh.
“We are pleased that we are able to pass on decreasing fuel costs through lower effective rates,” KIUC President and CEO Randy Hee said in the release. “Naphtha, which is the primary fuel used at our Kapaia Power Station, increases its benefit for our customers this month with a reduction in cost of over 50 percent. KIUC’s goal of having more than half of its energy supply from renewable sources is undiminished by the current lowering of fuel costs.”
After KIUC’s all-time high of $0.49 per kWh in August, monthly fuel costs have steadily decreased, which has decreased monthly effective electric rates.
“While we are blessed with the recent low rates due to the drop in fuel prices, we encourage our members to continue with conservation and efficiency measures,” Dennis Esaki, chairman of the board of directors, said in the release.
“Also we must not deviate from our strategic goals of being more sustainable with renewable energy. Conservation can defer new power generation sources and sustainability will make us less dependent on fluctuating fuel costs and availability.”
In a phone interview, Hee said that he is happy with the reduction in fuel costs, but reiterated Esaki’s caution against interpreting the price drop as an excuse for complacency in planning for Kaua’s energy future.
“We don’t want people to think, just because fuel costs are lower now, that we’re not continuing with our strategic plan,” he said.
For current rate information, go to www.kiuc.coop and click on “energy information.”
Comparisons
These are the effective rates for December 2008 statewide:
Utility — Effective Rate
HECO (O‘ahu): $0.249135
KIUC (Kaua‘i): $0.274530
MECO (Maui): $0.306171
HELCO (Big Island): $0.384674
Molokai: $0.388929
Lanai: $0.434269
KIUC’s effective rates in 2008:
Month — Effective Rate
January: $0.39843
February: $0.38682
March: $0.38666
April: $0.41266
May: $0.41106
June: $0.43939
July: $0.47148
August: $0.49218
September: $0.44244
October: $0.41393
November: $0.36420
December: $0.27453
