The newly formed Energy Justice Working Group at the University of Hawaiʻi William S. Richardson School of Law will begin reaching out during September for community feedback on the proposed merger between Hawaiian Electric Industries and Florida-based NextEra, one of the nation’s largest energy providers.
In a series of public meetings scheduled on the North Shore for September 19, 26 and 27, the group will provide a general overview of the proposed merger, and then form small listening groups so residents can share and discuss their thoughts, opinions and ideas.
The North Shore was chosen as a template for the island as a whole, and because of interest expressed by that community for a public discussion of plans, options and alternatives.
Associate Professor Shalanda Baker, director of the new Energy Justice Program at the law school, sees the community meetings as an opportunity to begin a statewide conversation about energy justice.
“Energy justice is universal access to affordable, renewable energy,” said Baker. “Energy justice is also the implementation of clean energy solutions rooted in democratic, stakeholder-driven processes that equitably allocate the costs and benefits of energy development.”
Event information
All meetings are free and open to the public.
Schedule
- Saturday, September 19, 6:30–8 p.m., Haleʻiwa, Patagonia, North Shore Marketplace, 66-250 Kamehameha Highway
- Saturday, September 26, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Kahuku High School, 56-490 Kamehameha Highway
- Sunday, September 27, 2–5 p.m., Sunset Beach Elementary School, 59 Kamehameha Highway
For more information, see the William S. Richardson School of Law news release.
Click here to view the event flyer.
