Public Utilities Commission Seeks Public Input On Undersea Power Cable Between Maui, Oahu

State regulators are looking into whether an undersea power cable between Maui and Oahu would be in the public's interest.

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission is inviting the public to comment on the cable at meetings Tuesday at Farrington High School in Honolulu and Thursday at Pomaikai Elementary School in Kahului.

Proponents of the cable say it would allow power sharing between islands, which could increase the reliability of electricity and stabilize power costs.

The investigation is looking at issues including whether the benefits to Hawaii ratepayers would outweigh the costs and what kind of regulatory and ratemaking policies should be considered.

State Energy Program Administrator Mark Glick is expected to describe how Gov. Neil Abercrombie's administration envisions using an Oahu-Maui interconnection system.