THE SENATE S.R. NO. 33 THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 S.D. 1 STATE OF HAWAII SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE Public Utilities Commission to investigate measures to benefit vulnerable customers, such as low-income and retired customers, and identify funding sources to support social policy objectives that would prevent THE shifting OF costs to other ratepayers.
THE SENATE S.R. NO. 33
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
THE SENATE
S.R. NO.
33
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
SENATE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE Public Utilities Commission to investigate measures to benefit vulnerable customers, such as low-income and retired customers, and identify funding sources to support social policy objectives that would prevent THE shifting OF costs to other ratepayers.
WHEREAS, many low-income utility customers and retired senior citizens live on limited or fixed incomes and face tight budgets, requiring them to limit expenses; and WHEREAS, the costs of public utilities, including electricity, water, gas, telephone, and telecommunication services, are consistently rising and are difficult to limit or negotiate; and WHEREAS, the widening gaps between the rising costs of public utility services and low- or fixed incomes of certain customers and retired senior citizens make it increasingly difficult for them to live within their budgets; and WHEREAS, public utilities charging discounted rates to any one customer group may shift costs to other ratepayers or result in a subsidy that could have unintended consequences, making utility bills even less affordable to vulnerable groups of ratepayers; and WHEREAS, proactive measures are needed to help low-income customers and retired senior citizen customers maintain a reasonable quality of life despite rising, but necessary, public utility expenses; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the Public Utilities Commission is requested to investigate measures to benefit vulnerable customers, such as low-income and retired customers, and identify funding sources to support social policy objectives that would prevent the shifting of costs to other ratepayers; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Public Utilities Commission is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission. Report Title: Public Utilities; Low-Income and Retired Customers
WHEREAS, many low-income utility customers and retired senior citizens live on limited or fixed incomes and face tight budgets, requiring them to limit expenses; and
WHEREAS, the costs of public utilities, including electricity, water, gas, telephone, and telecommunication services, are consistently rising and are difficult to limit or negotiate; and
WHEREAS, the widening gaps between the rising costs of public utility services and low- or fixed incomes of certain customers and retired senior citizens make it increasingly difficult for them to live within their budgets; and
WHEREAS, public utilities charging discounted rates to any one customer group may shift costs to other ratepayers or result in a subsidy that could have unintended consequences, making utility bills even less affordable to vulnerable groups of ratepayers; and
WHEREAS, proactive measures are needed to help low-income customers and retired senior citizen customers maintain a reasonable quality of life despite rising, but necessary, public utility expenses; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the Public Utilities Commission is requested to investigate measures to benefit vulnerable customers, such as low-income and retired customers, and identify funding sources to support social policy objectives that would prevent the shifting of costs to other ratepayers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Public Utilities Commission is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission.
Report Title:
Public Utilities; Low-Income and Retired Customers