Latest news with #gridresilience
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaiian Electric unveils $350M wildfire safety plan that could raise customer bills
HONOLULU (KHON2) – Hawaiian Electric has released a more detailed version of its three-year wildfire safety strategy, aimed at reducing wildfire risks and strengthening grid resilience across the state, with a particular focus on Maui, which it identifies as the area of highest risk. Putting rocks on the beach, cutting trees to save Oʻahu highway The $350 million plan, filed with the Public Utilities Commission, proposes major investments in technology, infrastructure, and fire hazard mitigation, along with increased community collaboration. If approved, residential electric bills could rise as early as 2026: Oahu: $1 per month Hawaii Island: $3 per month Maui County: $5 per month More than half of the proposed budget, approximately $181 million, is earmarked for Maui County, including $137 million in work planned for 2025 alone. The goal is to reduce the risk of wildfires sparked by utility equipment through a multi-pronged approach: Grid Hardening & Vegetation Management: Upgrades like covered conductors, stronger poles, and expanded hazard tree removal in high-risk areas. Undergrounding Lines: A pilot project in Lahaina will relocate two miles of overhead lines underground, with guidance from a community working group. Technology Upgrades: More weather stations, AI-assisted hazard-detection cameras, and a wildfire-focused Watch Office staffed with a meteorologist. Operational Improvements: A wildfire risk model will inform real-time decisions and fine-tune Public Safety Power Shutoff events. Community Engagement: Continued support for local safety events, partnerships with organizations on firebreaks and vegetation clearing, and expert working group meetings. 'We understand that any type of bill impact is obviously not what we would wish for,' said Darren Pai, spokesperson for Hawaiian Electric. 'But it does take investment in the system. The objective is to make the system safer, to protect the public, and to fulfill our commitment to public safety.'Some relief may be possible. A bill passed by the state Legislature, SB 897, would allow the Public Utilities Commission to authorize 'securitization,' or the use of long-term bonds to fund safety improvements. These would appear as a line item on customer bills but could cost less than traditional financing. The measure is currently under review by Governor Josh Green. The Public Utilities Commission is reviewing the filing. Check out more news from around Hawaii If approved, customers can expect the first changes to begin in 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Energy summit held in New Orleans to discuss strengthening the grid
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — In the face of increasingly severe storms and climate driven disasters, Louisiana energy leaders, regulators and lawmakers met in New Orleans for a summit focused on one mission: making the state's power grid stronger, smarter and more resilient. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta discussed a $2 billion investment aimed at hardening the electrical grid, a joint effort between the state and utility provider Entergy. The initiative seeks not just to withstand major weather events, but also to recover from them quickly. 'Louisiana undertook a pathway to grid resilience and agreed to work with Entergy on a $2 billion investment in grid resilience for not only distribution mechanisms, but also for the transmission grid,' said Skrmetta. 'Recognizing that, the important thing is the ability to bounce back after critical weather events.' City of New Orleans offering an amnesty program for past-due parking, traffic tickets A key part of the grid resilience effort involves replacing aging, vulnerable infrastructure- starting with something as basic, but critical, as power poles. Entergy CEO Drew Marsh emphasized that this isn't just about resilience, it's also about ensuring energy remains affordable and sustainable for customers across Louisiana. 'The customers come first,' Marsh said. 'And so, thinking about what it means for our customers from a reliability standpoint that we're just talking about, but also the sustainability and the cost effectiveness, the affordability elements of it, those are all going to be top of mind.' Marsh noted that Louisiana's abundant energy infrastructure supports low electricity prices, helping the state remain competitive in the global economy. 'We have abundant infrastructure and that… all of that leads to low energy prices and that means that we can compete very effectively in the global economy,' Marsh said. The summit also spotlighted the broader energy strategy needed for long term resilience. Congressman Troy Carter called for a comprehensive approach, including reinforced levees and solar-powered cooling centers in vulnerable neighborhoods. 'We still have work to do,' Carter said. 'But we have come a long way.' With storms growing stronger and more frequent, state leaders say the time to act is now. The vision includes not just restoring power faster but also using smart grid technologies and clean energy solutions to protect communities, create jobs and keep the lights summit held in New Orleans to discuss strengthening the grid Separate crashes in Lafourche, Terrebonne parishes leave cyclists dead Weather Service rehiring at offices left 'critically understaffed' by layoffs Fan reportedly struck by falling concrete at Dodger Stadium EPA, Park Service take big hits in latest Trump budget plan Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
