The audit will evaluate the division's effectiveness in navigating the state’s commitment to a 100% renewable energy mandate and other climate-related goals. The results are expected to provide insights into the division's current role and suggest improvements, which may include legislative proposals to redefine its mission. As the energy sector becomes increasingly complex due to technological advancements and shifts in consumer behavior, the audit is intended to align the division's operations with modern regulatory practices and consumer advocacy needs.
Summary
House Bill 1383 requires a comprehensive management audit of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Division of Consumer Advocacy. This step is seen as necessary due to historical ambiguities and deficiencies highlighted in previous audits dating back to 1975. The division's dual role—acting both as a representative of consumers and as staff for the public utilities commission—has been a source of contention. The legislature aims to ensure that the division can effectively promote clean energy initiatives and protect consumer interests amid an evolving regulatory and energy landscape in Hawaii.
Contention
Critics of the dual role of the division note that it has led to a passive approach towards consumer advocacy, hindering proactive engagement in utility regulation. Despite significant changes in the energy sector over the past 15 years, including the rise of 'prosumers' who are more active in energy consumption and production, the division's impact remains ambiguous. This audit is expected to clarify these roles and address longstanding issues regarding the division's effectiveness, potentially leading to significant reforms in how the division operates and advocates for consumer interests in Hawaii.