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[Sep 13](http://www.ililani.media/2024/09/tesla-electric-truck-battery-caught-fire.html "13th September 2024") # [Tesla Electric Truck Battery Caught Fire -- Posing Risk for Firefighters](http://www.ililani.media/2024/09/tesla-electric-truck-battery-caught-fire.html) [](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn0O6o8-q37w6aNdhQNg8BMuJ_PiV-RBmzNEt3ry0mNfntsO60uI3ODwHGctSKLNMHq8MsyFtUnPbdqwXgAuc00G7iAgG0oHHHXsWRI4x2MsZWjRLA0M3gu4898Z1De0P7TDSKHMl_MbU2XoeRlxAgeAVG1P9ezaP_hHeiKBO-O593xPiDwSHB3IcCEeK/s225/Tesla.jpg) Posted on September 13, 2024, by Henry Curtis The United States Environmental Protection Agency noted that the Lahaina fire was the first major fire with numerous electric vehicles and residential lithium batteries. The batteries posed risks to firefighters since they could catch fire, explode, and/or give a powerful electric shock. Safety issues with the high-voltage, lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles first gained widespread attention when a Chevrolet Volt caught fire three weeks after a crash test in May 2011. The battery at the first Kahuku wind farm caught fire in 2012. Luckily the wind was blowing in a direction away from the Kahuku community. Firefighters did not enter the building until seven hours after the flames started because of questions regarding the toxicity of the batteries. The **[Tesla Semi](https://www.tesla.com/semi)** is a battery electric semi-trailer truck that is powered by three carbon-fiber wrapped motors, one operates continuously at optimal efficiency, while the other two motors provide additional power for acceleration and hills. The vehicles have a range of 500 miles and uses only 1.7 kWh/mi. Initial deliveries of Tesla Semis were made to PepsiCo on December 1, 2022, and are now being tested by Walmart, Costco, Sysco, Martin Brower, and US Foods. A Tesla Semi caught fire along Interstate 80 near Emigrant Gap, about 70 miles northeast of Sacramento, in the early morning of August 19, 2024. The Semi left the road while going around a curve, went down a slope, and came to rest against several trees. After the crash, the Semi’s lithium-ion battery ignited. Batteries can reach 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit while burning. The highway was shut for 16 hours. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that California firefighters used 50,000 gallons of water to extinguish flames after a crash and firefighters used an aircraft to drop fire retardant on the “immediate area” of the electric truck as a precautionary measure. The National Transportation Safety Board issued a report, **[Safety Risks to Emergency Responders from Lithium-Ion Battery Fires in Electric Vehicles](https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Documents/SR2001.pdf)**, in 2021. The report documents the agency’s investigation of four electric vehicle fires involving high-voltage, lithium-ion battery fires. Three of the lithium-ion batteries that ignited were damaged in high-speed, high-severity crashes, and the fourth lithium-ion battery fire occurred during normal vehicle operations. All three of the crash-damaged batteries reignited after firefighters extinguished the vehicle fires. The battery in the fourth investigation did not reignite. Fires in electric vehicles powered by high-voltage lithium-ion batteries pose the risk of electric shock to emergency responders from exposure to the high-voltage components of a damaged lithium-ion battery. A further risk is that damaged cells in the battery can experience thermal runaway – uncontrolled increases in temperature and pressure – which can lead to battery reignition. The risks of electric shock and battery reignition/fire arise from the “stranded” energy that remains in a damaged battery. The National Transportation Safety Board is not allowed to admit evidence into the record, to assign fault or legal liability, and the report\`s description of accidents cannot be used in civil action for damages. The Safety Report identified two main safety issues through its investigation: the inadequacy of vehicle manufacturers’ emergency response guides, and the gaps in safety standards and research related to high-voltage lithium-ion batteries involved in high-speed, high-severity crashes. The Report made safety recommendations that included adhering to international standards, further research, publishing manufacturer emergency response guides, and vehicle-specific information in emergency response guides for fighting high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires. The Report recommended electric vehicle manufacturers provide information and available guidance to first responders and other crash scene workers about fire risks associated with high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires in electric vehicles. The information should address mitigating thermal runaway and the risk of high-voltage lithium-ion battery reignition, mitigating risks associated with stranded energy in high-voltage lithium-ion batteries during emergency response and before a damaged electric vehicle is removed from the scene, and safely storing an electric vehicle with a damaged high-voltage lithium-ion battery. \# \# \# Posted 13th September 2024 by [Ililani Media](http://www.blogger.com/profile/13958886234963893640) 3 ### View comments [Ililani Media](http://www.ililani.media/) ### Hawai\`i Digital Journalism: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Energy, Climate Change, Justice, and Politics Journalist: Henry Curtis (Member, Society of Professional Journalists). Editors: Henry Curtis. Kat Brady Magazine - [Classic](http://www.ililani.media/2024/09/tesla-electric-truck-battery-caught-fire.html?view=classic) - [Flipcard](http://www.ililani.media/2024/09/tesla-electric-truck-battery-caught-fire.html?view=flipcard) - [Magazine](http://www.ililani.media/2024/09/tesla-electric-truck-battery-caught-fire.html?view=magazine) - [Mosaic](http://www.ililani.media/2024/09/tesla-electric-truck-battery-caught-fire.html?view=mosaic) - [Sidebar](http://www.ililani.media/2024/09/tesla-electric-truck-battery-caught-fire.html?view=sidebar) - [Snapshot](http://www.ililani.media/2024/09/tesla-electric-truck-battery-caught-fire.html?view=snapshot) - [Timeslide](http://www.ililani.media/2024/09/tesla-electric-truck-battery-caught-fire.html?view=timeslide) Pages - [Home](http://www.ililani.media/) - [Interviews](http://www.ililani.media/p/interviews.html) - [Hawai\`i Smart Grids](http://www.ililani.media/p/smart-grids.html) - [Hawai\`i Agriculture - Pesticides - Biotechnology - Nanotechnology](http://www.ililani.media/p/agriculture-pesticides-nanotechnology.html) - [Media](http://www.ililani.media/p/media.html) %20-%20Copy.jpg) [Apr 13](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/hawaiis-aviation-fuel-problem-fragile.html "3 hours ago") ### [Hawaii's Aviation Fuel Problem: A Fragile Lifeline We Can't Afford to Ignore](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/hawaiis-aviation-fuel-problem-fragile.html) Posted on April 13, 2026, by Henry Curtis Hawaii jet fuel is imported almost entirely from South Korea. Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in late February 2026 set off a cascading crisis, as South Korea relies on Hormuz for most of its crude oil, causing Korean refiners to reduce throughput and eventually cap jet fuel exports — directly threatening Hawaii's aviation fuel supply. This article traces this vulnerability through Hawaii's highly centralized and brittle fuel infrastructure; a concentrated supply chain that poses an unacceptable risk to island resilience, public health, inter-island connectivity, and the tourism economy. [Apr 10](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/puc-launches-hecos-new-generation-and.html "3 days ago") ### [PUC launches HECO\`s New Generation and Transmission Planning Process](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/puc-launches-hecos-new-generation-and.html) Posted on April 10, 2026, by Henry Curtis In January, the Hawai\`i Public Utilities Commission opened the Second Cycle of integrated grid planning (IGP) for the HECO Companies. "The Commission adopts a five-year IGP cadence consistent with prior guidance, with one year of preparatory work, three years for the formal docketed planning process, and one year for implementation and Commission review. [Apr 9](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/a-realistic-timeframe-for-jera-power.html "3 days ago") ### [A Realistic Timeframe for the JERA O\`ahu Power Plant](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/a-realistic-timeframe-for-jera-power.html) Posted on April 9, 2026, by Henry Curtis JERA wants to construct and start operating a Liquefied Natura Gas power plant on O\`ahu by about 2030. The Federal regulatory process may take 2.5 to 5+ years, the state regulatory process may take 4 to 7 years, and the county regulatory process may take 1 to 2 years. The processes may go side-by-side to some extent. The total tie may be five to twelve years or more. [Apr 8](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/hecos-reliability-metrics-hides-key.html "5 days ago") ### [HECO\`s Reliability Metrics Hides Key Information](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/hecos-reliability-metrics-hides-key.html) Posted on April 8, 2026, by Henry Curtis Electricity Outages from Kona Lows, Maui Wildfires, Lava Eruptions, Rain Bombs, Coastal Flooding. The Hawaiian Electric Companies "normalizes" their county-wide reliability metrics to produce numbers than measures "sustained" outages. A few county-wide reliability numbers. Not by neighborhoods. Excluding Major Event Days (MEDs). Excluding momentary outages (5 minutes or less). 1 [Apr 7](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/bill-mckibben-to-speak-at-hawaii.html "5 days ago") ### [Bill McKibben to Speak at Hawaii Sustainability Expo & Electric Home Show](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/bill-mckibben-to-speak-at-hawaii.html) Posted on April 7, 2026, by Henry Curtis Bill McKibben has spent forty years warning the world about the climate crisis. He co-founded 350.org and Third Act — an organization mobilizing Americans over sixty for progressive change — and has written bestsellers including The End of Nature, Falter, and Deep Economy. McKibben says he's optimistic. [Apr 7](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/heco-companies-planning-high-voltage.html "6 days ago") ### [HECO Companies Planning High Voltage Transmission Lines for new Renewable Energy Zones](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/heco-companies-planning-high-voltage.html) Posted on April 7, 2026, by Henry Curtis A Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) sounds like an area with a lot of renewable energy. It is not. It is an area that can be tapped for additional renewable resources after the grid has been upgraded and/or expanded. It is utility selected area that has land sites for the type of energy that the utility desires and that requires new high voltage transmission lines to integrate the new energy into the grid. [Apr 6](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/the-biggest-renewable-energy-and-ghg.html "1 week ago") ### [The Biggest Renewable Energy and GHG Lies Aren't Denials— It's the Math](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/the-biggest-renewable-energy-and-ghg.html) Posted on April 6, 2026, by Henry Curtis Metrics are useful but can be easily manipulated in order to get favorable public opinion. There are very great differences in perception by telling some that an operation has a 90% of success or a 10% chance of death. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Product (GNP) are two different accounting lenses applied to the same economy. [Apr 3](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/the-grid-is-your-ally-stop-treating-it.html "1 week ago") ### [The Grid Is Your Ally — Stop Treating It Like the Enemy](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/the-grid-is-your-ally-stop-treating-it.html) Posted on April 3, 2026, by Henry Curtis Most energy activists got into this work because they believe in solar, in community power, in getting off fossil fuels. Rooftop solar with batteries is a genuine win — families generating their own clean energy, cutting their bills, reducing dependence on oil-fired power plants. That's real progress worth celebrating. [Apr 2](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/us-israel-oil-war-is-pushing-up-prices.html "1 week ago") ### [US-Israel Oil War is Pushing Up Prices in Hawai\`i](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/us-israel-oil-war-is-pushing-up-prices.html) Posted on February 2, 2026, by Henry Curtis The US-Israel Oil War is increasing oil and gas prices, which will have secondary impacts in the coal, nuclear and renewable sectors. Gas and oil price increases are rippling through the economy. Forbes reported today that the average price of a gallon of gas in Hawaii was \$4.39 last month, \$5.33 last week, and \$5.50 today. “Hawaiian Electric is forecasting that typical residential bills may rise between 20% and 30% over the next several months. [Apr 1](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/what-average-hides-problem-with.html "1 week ago") ### [What the Average Hides -- The Problem with Aggregated Metrics](http://www.ililani.media/2026/04/what-average-hides-problem-with.html) Posted on April 1, 2026, by Henry Curtis When you average things together, the extremes cancel each other out and disappear. A utility can report an "average reliability score" of 99% across its system, but that number tells you nothing about the neighborhood that loses power for 12 hours every storm. The customers who suffer the most are statistically absorbed into a comfortable-looking number. [Mar 31](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/hecos-renewable-energy-workshops-are.html "1 week ago") ### [HECO's "Renewable Energy" Workshops Are a Trojan Horse for New High-Voltage Transmission Lines](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/hecos-renewable-energy-workshops-are.html) Posted on March 31, 2026, by Henry Curtis Don't be fooled by the friendly branding. Hawaiian Electric is rolling out a series of public workshops under the feel-good banner of "Renewable Energy Zones" — and they're counting on you to show up, nod along, and leave without asking the hard questions. Because buried beneath the clean energy messaging is the real agenda: HECO wants to build two major new high-voltage transmission lines, and these workshops are how they manufacture consent to do it. 1 [Mar 31](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/lng-geothermal-community-perspective-on.html "1 week ago") ### [LNG & Geothermal -- A Community Perspective on the 2026 Hawaii Energy Conference](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/lng-geothermal-community-perspective-on.html) Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Posted on March 31, 2026, by Henry Curtis They say the 2026 Hawaii Energy Conference is about "Power, People, and Place." (Program, Registration) But if you're a low-income ratepayer in Puna, a Native Hawaiian kia'i who has spent years opposing industrial projects on sacred land, or a community organizer who has never held a corporate title, you might be asking yourself: whose people? Which place? The conference, scheduled for May 20–21 on Maui, is framing itself [Mar 30](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/puc-approved-hecos-self-build-waiau.html "2 weeks ago") ### [PUC Approved HECO\`s Self Build Waiau Repowering Project With Conditions](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/puc-approved-hecos-self-build-waiau.html) Posted on March 30, 2026, by Henry Curtis Hawaiian Electric Company published a Public Utilities Commission approved Request for Proposals for Competitively Bid Generation. As permitted, HECO submitted a Self-Build Option (SPO) that is subject to many of the same requirements and provisions as any submittal is. The Waiau Generation Station is located in Pearl City. A bike path seperates it from Pearl Harbor. [Mar 27](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/when-supply-chains-break-argument-for.html "3 weeks ago") ### [When Supply Chains Break -- The Argument for Hawaiian Food Sovereignty](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/when-supply-chains-break-argument-for.html) Matson Ship in Honolulu Harbor. Posted on March 27, 2026, by Henry Curtis Global supply chain disruptions and fertilizer price spikes make a compelling case for Hawaii to grow more of its own food. A state that produces what it needs locally is far more resilient than one that depends on distant, disrupted supply lines. [Mar 25](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/proposals-to-modify-electricity.html "3 weeks ago") ### [Proposals to Modify Electricity Reliability Standards](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/proposals-to-modify-electricity.html) Posted on March 25, 2026, by Henry Curtis The Kona Low 1 and 2 storms knocked out power to wide swaths oof Hawai\`i. Some customers lost power for three or more days. It is perhaps ironic that this occurred while a major debate on reliability standards is taking place. The legislature passed a law creating the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator (HERA) within the Public Utilities Commission to oversee these critical issues. [Mar 23](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/over-hseo-objections-puc-approved-waiau.html "3 weeks ago") ### [Over HSEO Objections PUC Approved Waiau Repowering Project With Biofuel Conversion](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/over-hseo-objections-puc-approved-waiau.html) Posted on March 23, 2026, by Henry Curtis Notwithstanding Mark Glick\`s attempt to get the Public Utilities Commission to delay the Waiau Repowering Project in order to propose a Liquefied Natural Gas alternative that is not currently available and will not be available for an alleged six months, the Commission approved the project. Decision. Summary. [Mar 23](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/lng-resolutions-at-state-legislature.html "3 weeks ago") ### [LNG Resolutions at State Legislature Tomorrow](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/lng-resolutions-at-state-legislature.html) Posted on March 23, 2026, by Henry Curtis The House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection (EEP), will hold a hearing that includes two resolutions that address liquefied natural gas (LNG) tomorrow, March 24, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. As is often the case, events coincide. Tomorrow morning the Public Utilities Commission will hold a meeting of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator (HERA) Working Group for Resource Adequacy and Reliability Standards. [Mar 20](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/legislature-jumps-into-heco-rate.html "4 weeks ago") ### [Legislature Jumps Into HECO Rate Increase Debate](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/legislature-jumps-into-heco-rate.html) Posted on March 20, 2026, by Henry Curtis The Public Utilities Commission adopted the Performance-Based Regulation Framework (PBR) to govern the Hawaiian Electric Companies. PBR includes a Multi-Year Rate Period (MRP) and Performance Incentive Mechanisms (PIMs). MRP1 ends in June. The current discussion of how to transition from MRP1 to MRP2 is a hot-button issue at the PUC. [Mar 19](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/hawaii-legislature-considering-several.html "4 weeks ago") ### [Hawaii Legislature Considering Several Energy Resolutions](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/hawaii-legislature-considering-several.html) Posted on March 19, 2026, by Henry Curtis Rep. Au Belatti authored HCR25 to establish the Electric Vehicle Fires Working Group in the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Rep. Amato authored HCR141 urging the County of Maui to enforce the provisions of the fire code of the County of Maui relating to fire hazards, brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation clearing, and emergency access. Rep. [Mar 18](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/jera-and-public-utilities-commission.html "4 weeks ago") ### [JERA and the Public Utilities Commission](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/jera-and-public-utilities-commission.html) Posted on March 18, 2026, by Henry Curtis Hawaiian Electric filed a Draft Integrated Grid Planning with the PUC in April 2024, followed by a revised draft on June 27, 2025. The current schedule targets a PUC order to issue the Final RFP in March 2026 — meaning it is essentially due right now. The RFP seeks variable and firm renewable resources (wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, biofuels, storage) on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island, with target in-service dates of 2029 and 2033. [Mar 17](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/jera-submits-proposal.html "4 weeks ago") ### [JERA Submits Proposal to Hawai\`i](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/jera-submits-proposal.html) Posted on March 17, 2026, by Henry Curtis JERA submitted a Proposal to the State of Hawai\`i- re LNG Infrastructure and Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant Development on O‘ahu for a 500 MW hybrid combined-cycle and simple-cycle gas turbine facility powered by liquefied natural gas. [Mar 17](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/kona-storm-showed-weaknesses-in-heco.html "4 weeks ago") ### [Kona Storm Showed Weaknesses in HECO Grid](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/kona-storm-showed-weaknesses-in-heco.html) Posted on March 17, 2026, by Henry Curtis The Hawaiian Electric Companies have received penalties in the past few years for lower than desired reliability levels for their transmission and distribution system. How Performance Incentive Mechanisms in general, and reliability metrics in particular, should be modified is being discussed by the parties in the Public Utilities Commission Performance-Based Regulation (PBR) proceeding. 1 [Mar 16](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/understanding-hecos-profits-through.html "4 weeks ago") ### [Understanding HECO\`s Profits Through Analogies](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/understanding-hecos-profits-through.html) Posted on March 16, 2026, by Henry Curtis The Hawaiian Electric Companies earn about 4 to 5 cents of profit for every dollar collected from ratepayers. This figure is distorted because roughly half of the revenue collected is immediately handed to someone else. The utility never meaningfully "earns" it. These costs include fuel and payments to third party power producers. The meaningful analysis is the net profit on HECO\`s capital expenditure. [Mar 13](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/hseo-suffers-double-blow-major-lng.html "13th March") ### [HSEO Suffers Double Blow -- Major LNG Error and Improper Attack on Waiau Repowering](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/hseo-suffers-double-blow-major-lng.html) Posted on March 13, 2026, by Henry Curtis Related Stories: Controversy Engulfs HECO’s Proposed \$1 Billion Power Plant by Stewart Yerton, Civil Beat, March 13, 2026 Hawaiian Electric Response to the Hawai‘i State Energy Office’s letter, Docket No. 2 [Mar 13](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/hawaii-state-energy-offices-lng-study.html "13th March") ### [Hawai\`i State Energy Office’s LNG Study Might Be in Deep Trouble](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/hawaii-state-energy-offices-lng-study.html) Posted on March 12, 2026, by Henry Curtis Related Stories: Controversy Engulfs HECO’s Proposed \$1 Billion Power Plant by Stewart Yerton, Civil Beat, March 13, 2026 Hawaiian Electric Response to the Hawai‘i State Energy Office’s letter, Docket No. 2025-0211 – Waiau Repower Project (March 11, 2026) The Hawai\`i House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection held an Information Briefing on Liquefied Natural Gas on March 12, 2026. 3 [Mar 12](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/proposed-waena-power-plant-amended.html "12th March") ### [Proposed Waena Power Plant Amended Application Filed With PUC](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/proposed-waena-power-plant-amended.html) Posted on March 12, 2026, by Henry Curtis Maui Electric Company\`s agreed to a Power Purchase Agreement with Ameresco subsidiary 'Ūkiu Energy for a Generation Station at Waena on September 26, 2025. Three motions to intervene were filed: Life of the Land, Green Party of Hawaii and a joint filing by Maui Tomorrow Foundation and Coalition for Real Renewable Energy. The entities noted that the contract was for both fossil fuel and biofuel, the former required an Environmental Impact Statement. [Mar 11](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/hawaii-energy-equity-policies-face.html "11th March") ### [Hawai\`i Energy Equity Policies Face Uphill Battle](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/hawaii-energy-equity-policies-face.html) Posted on March 11, 2026, by Henry Curtis The Hawaii Legislature passed seven resolutions in 2022 requesting that the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission address energy equity. The PUC opened a proceeding in 2022. The proceeding has struggled to find footing and is currently unofficially suspended. The Hawaii experience is by no means unusual. Utility commissions face significant and well-documented difficulties integrating energy equity into electric utility regulations. [Mar 10](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/puc-financial-review-of-heco-companies.html "10th March") ### [PUC Financial Review of HECO Companies May Be Brief or Complex](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/puc-financial-review-of-heco-companies.html) PUC. Posted on March 10, 2026, by Henry Curtis The Performance Based Regulation (PBR) proceeding is at an inflection point: how to adjust base rates in the transition from the first five-year period ending in June 2026, to the start of the second five-year period beginning as early as January 2027. The HECO Companies and Ulupono Initiative filed a Joint Alternative Rebasing Proposal that would substantially reduce the time that rate analyses usually take. [Mar 7](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/heco-companies-propose-rate-increases.html "7th March") ### [HECO Companies Propose Rate Increases in 2027 and 2028](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/heco-companies-propose-rate-increases.html) HECO\`s Waiau Power Plant. Posted on March 7, 2026, by Henry Curtis The Hawai\`i Public Utilities Commission opened the Performance-Based Regulation (PBR) proceeding in 2018 to examine a new method of establishing how the Hawaiian Electric Companies would acquire ratepayer funds. PBR was approved and the first five-year period was initiated in June 2021. [Mar 6](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/hawaiis-electric-rates-are-high-now.html "6th March") ### [Hawaii's Electric Rates Are High — Now Let's Talk About What That Actually Mean](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/hawaiis-electric-rates-are-high-now.html) Posted on March 6, 2026, by Henry Curtis Due to being a for-profit monopoly, the Hawaiian Electric Companies have higher rates than Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. Or so it was back in mid-2022- to mid-2024 when that slogan was widely touted. Today, Honolulu and the island of Maui have the lowest electricity rates in the state. Electric rates cover a lot of costs beyond generating electricity. Electric grids are the biggest things humans have ever built — and some of the most complicated. 2 [Mar 5](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/lng-prices-are-extremely-volatile.html "5th March") ### [LNG Prices Are Extremely Volatile](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/lng-prices-are-extremely-volatile.html) Volatility. Posted on March 5, 2026, by Henry Curtis "European natural gas prices surged nearly 40% Tuesday after a production halt at the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export facility in Qatar rattled markets, stoking concerns over global supply," according to a Wall Street Journal article. The March 3, 2026, article noted that "Qatar is the world’s second-largest LNG exporter. [Mar 4](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/heco-files-annual-report-on-its.html "4th March") ### [HECO Files Annual Report on its Operations and Risks](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/heco-files-annual-report-on-its.html) Posted on March 4, 2026, by Henry Curtis Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) and Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) filed their 196-page annual 10-K with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2026. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) The Hawaii State Energy Office’s Alternative Fuel, Repowering and Energy Transition Study makes a case for the use of liquefied natural gas on Oahu to replace low sulfur fuel. [Mar 3](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/no-lng-needed-better-path-filed-with-puc.html "3rd March") ### [No LNG Needed: A Better Path Filed with the PUC](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/no-lng-needed-better-path-filed-with-puc.html) Posted on March 3, 2026, by Henry Curtis The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission formally opened the Second Cycle of Integrated Grid Planning on January 2, 2026. The Hawaiian Electric Companies filed their IGP-2 Work Plan and will file updates to their liquefied natural gas (LNG) proposal next month. The PUC will issue a decision soon on the motions to intervene. AES Clean Energy Development has no position on LNG. The Consumer Advocate wants to study LNG. 1 [Mar 2](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/hawaii-firefighters-have-concerns-re.html "2nd March") ### [Hawaii Firefighters Have Concerns With Residential Solar Panels](http://www.ililani.media/2026/03/hawaii-firefighters-have-concerns-re.html) Posted on March 2, 2026, by Henry Curtis Related Article: Hawaii Fire Fighters Oppose Portable Plug-in Solar Systems (ililani media, Feb 26) The Hawaii Firefighters resistance to legislation authorizing plug-in solar mirrors opposition to rooftop solar from more than a decade ago. This may have been intensified due to the Lahaina Wildfire. The first urban wildfire with extennsive solar panels and batteries. [Feb 27](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/keynote-speaker-at-hawaii-energy.html "27th February") ### [Keynote Speaker at Hawaii Energy Conference Will Address Geothermal](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/keynote-speaker-at-hawaii-energy.html) Tauhara Geothermal Power Station, New Zeakand. Posted on February 27, 2028, by Henry Curtis The 13th Annual Hawaii Energy Conference will be held on Maui from May 20 - 21, 2026. The keynote speaker is Mana Newton, a proponent of geothermal energy. As in most conferences, panelists will offer similar rather than contrasting views. Mana is the current Group Chief Executive Officer of Tauhara North No.2 Trust. [Feb 27](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/seventy-five-hawaii-organizations-take.html "27th February") ### [Seventy-Five Hawaii Organizations Take Position on LNG](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/seventy-five-hawaii-organizations-take.html) Posted on February 27, 2026, by Henry Curtis Governor Green announced that he wanted liquefied natural gas (LNG) back on the table as a possible future energy choice while suing other fossil fuell companies for the impacts caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The Hawaii State Energy Office wrote a report favoring LNG but leaving out many of the potential impacts. The issue heated up in recent days. [Feb 26](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/hawaii-transparency-bill-expensive.html "26th February") ### [Hawai\`i Transparency Bill -- Expensive, Opaque, and Unfair](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/hawaii-transparency-bill-expensive.html) Posted on February 26, 2026, by Henry Curtis Senator Wakai introduced two electric utility bills that would upend effective electric utility regulation, cause uncertainty and turmoil for years, increase electric bills, all without any reasonable ratepayer protections. The Senate Ways and Means Committee effectively defanged SB 3326 on February 19, 2026 and will have a similar opportunity to do the same for SB 2497 on March 3. [Feb 25](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/hawaii-fire-fighters-oppose-portable.html "25th February") ### [Hawaii Fire Fighters Oppose Portable Plug-in Solar Systems](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/hawaii-fire-fighters-oppose-portable.html) Posted on February 26, 2026, by Henry Curtis A bill to allow Portable Solar Generation Devices was introduced by Rep. Mike Lee and co-authored by 27 other representatives. The bill spread the solar revolution to renters and condo owners, enabling them to reduce their electric bills. The House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce held the bill yesterday, despite overwhelming support from testifiers. [Feb 24](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/deregulation-increases-high-electric.html "24th February") ### [Deregulation Increases High Electric Bills](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/deregulation-increases-high-electric.html) Posted on February 24, 2026, by Henry Curtis Senator Glenn Wakai introduced a bill (SB3326) that would have deregulated Hawaiian Electric Company by forcing the utility to sell all of its generation. The bill was opposed by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and Life of the Land (LOL). The Senate Ways and Means Committee heard the bill. [Feb 23](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/hawaii-legislative-bill-to-ban-on-lng.html "23rd February") ### [Hawai\`i Legislative Bill to Ban on LNG is Dead](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/hawaii-legislative-bill-to-ban-on-lng.html) Posted on February 23, 2023, by Henry Curtis Governor Green signed a non-binding Strategic Partnership Agreement with JERA Co., Inc. — Japan's largest power producer — on October 6, 2025, at JERA's Tokyo headquarters. The agreement establishes a framework for long-term collaboration focused on fuel diversity and decarbonization, anticipating a \$2 billion JERA investment in Hawaii's energy infrastructure, including an offshore LNG terminal, pipelines, and five fuel-flexible generators on Oahu. 3 [Feb 20](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/pro-anti-lng-presentations-heat-up.html "20th February") ### [Pro & Anti LNG Presentations Heat Up](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/pro-anti-lng-presentations-heat-up.html) EarthJustice Photo. Posted on February 20, 2026, by Henry Curtis Hawaii Governor David Ige gave the keynote address at the Asia Pacific Resilience Innovation Summit & Expo in Honolulu held on August 24, 2015. Ige stated that he had concluded Hawaii did not need liquefied natural gas (LNG) and that the state should focus on its 100% renewable energy goal instead. 1 [Feb 19](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/the-price-of-survival-is-hawaii-ready.html "19th February") ### [The Price of Survival: Is Hawaii Ready for the Big One?](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/the-price-of-survival-is-hawaii-ready.html) Posted on February 19, 2026, by Henry Curtis The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection (CPN) heard SB2884 on Feb 18, 2026. [Feb 18](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/shifting-methods-for-compensating.html "18th February") ### [Shifting Methods for Compensating Hawaii Renewable Energy Producers](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/shifting-methods-for-compensating.html) Hawi Wind Farm. Posted on February 18, 2026, by Henry Curtis The Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act of 1978 (PURPA) required electric utilities to buy power from independent power producers at the “avoided cost,” which is basically what it would have cost the utility to generate that power itself. In Hawaii, some of the earliest long‑term avoided‑cost contracts were signed in the 1990s and 2000s with renewable independent power producers. [Feb 13](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/why-isnt-renewable-energy-decreasing.html "13th February") ### [Why Isn\`t Renewable Energy Decreasing Electricity Rates](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/why-isnt-renewable-energy-decreasing.html) Posted on February 13, 2026, by Henry Curtis The House Energy & Environmental Protection Committee held a hearing on February 10, 2026. Chair Lowen asked several questions to Richard Rocheleau, Director of the Hawai\`i Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Rocheleau was asked about how renewable energy is impacting electric rates. 2 [Feb 10](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/groups-individuals-overwhelmingly.html "10th February") ### [Groups & Individuals Overwhelmingly Oppose LNG in Hawaii](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/groups-individuals-overwhelmingly.html) Posted on February 9, 2026, by Henry Curtis The ban on liquefied natural gas (LNG, HB 1568) was introduced by Rep. Perruso, and co-authored by Reps. Amato, Garrett, Grandinetti, Hussey, Iwamoto, Poepoe, and Souza. The bill will be heard tomorrow. 1 [Feb 9](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/hawaii-legislature-considering-rights.html "9th February") ### [Hawaii Legislature Considering Rights of Nature & Artificial Persons](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/hawaii-legislature-considering-rights.html) Rights of Nature. Posted on February 9, 2026, by Hennry Curtis Tomorrow, the Hawaii Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection will have decision making on two bills (SB2471, SB2829) authored by Senator Rhoads that seek to limit the powers of people who aren’t real people, i.e., organizations. [Feb 5](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/artificial-intelligence-apps-can-see.html "5th February") ### [Artificial intelligence Apps Can See Their Future Damage](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/artificial-intelligence-apps-can-see.html) Image. Posted on February 5, 2026, by Henry Curtis We may be a critical generation in the development of artificial intelligence apps. We have traditional training and background to understand complex issues. We can smell b.s. Artificial intelligence apps can provide overviews of issue areas. Some provide citations. Not all citations are accurate. Each citation needs to be verified. There is also a smell test. Does the answer sound right based on the expertise of the questioner. [Feb 4](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/hearings-tomorrow-on-portable-solar.html "4th February") ### [Hearings Tomorrow on Portable Solar Panels](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/hearings-tomorrow-on-portable-solar.html) Posted on February 4, 2026, by Henry Curtis The Hawaii State Legislature is considering seven portable solar bills introduced this year by 9 Senators and 37 Representatives. The first two bills (HB 2435 and SB 2902) will be heard tomorrow. There is a blurring of terminology. Plug-in solar panels, also known as balcony solar, are traditionally 600–800W grid-tied systems that are fixed in place. [Feb 3](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/honolulu-star-advertiser-opposes-public.html "3rd February") ### [Honolulu Star-Advertiser Opposes a Public Discussion on LNG](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/honolulu-star-advertiser-opposes-public.html) Posted on February 3, 2026, by Henry Curtis The Honolulu Star-Advertiser editorial today is, “Editorial: Put ban-LNG bill onback burner.” “Lawmakers should table the ban-LNG bill until there is a full public briefing — several of them, in fact — to examine the pluses and minuses of embarking on new infrastructure at this point.” Ironically, a legislative hearing on banning LNG is precisely that. It is a chance to engage the public on their views on LNG. [Feb 2](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/legislative-bill-may-promote-greenhouse.html "2nd February") ### [Hawaii Legislative Bill May Promote Greenhouse Gas Offset Scams](http://www.ililani.media/2026/02/legislative-bill-may-promote-greenhouse.html) Scams. Posted on February 2, 2026, by Henry Curtis Hawaii law requires net zero greenhouse gas emissions within the state of Hawaii by 2045. [Jan 30](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/blue-planet-foundation-did-not-die.html "30th January") ### [Blue Planet Foundation Did Not Die](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/blue-planet-foundation-did-not-die.html) Posted on January 30, 2026, by Henry Curtis Blue Planet Foundation was founded by Henk Rogers in 2007. Civil Beat reported in August 2024 that the organization had announced that after 17 years, it was ending its existence. Henk Rogers "gave about \$1 million a year to Blue Planet Foundation, he said. [Jan 29](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/senator-wakai-proposes-breaking-up.html "29th January") ### [Senator Wakai Proposes Breaking Up Hawaiian Electric Company](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/senator-wakai-proposes-breaking-up.html) Posted on January 29, 2026, by Henry Curtis Senator Wakai introduced Senate Bill 3326 “to require the separation of ownership and control of electric energy generation services from transmission and distribution services to promote efficiency, innovation, transparency, and competition in the electric energy generation sector while protecting ratepayers and ensuring reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric service.” The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission “shall establish and implement a r 1 [Jan 28](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/hawaii-reaches-120000-solar-systems.html "28th January") ### [Hawaii Reaches 120,000 Solar Systems -- Governor Wants 48,000 More by 2030](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/hawaii-reaches-120000-solar-systems.html) Posted on January 28, 2926, by Henry Curtis Governor Green issued Executive Order No. 25-01 in January 2025, accelerating Hawaiʻi’s transition toward 100 percent renewable energy. The order noted that more than 118,000 utility customers have installed distributed solar. [Jan 27](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/hawaii-legislative-games-begin.html "27th January") ### [Hawaii Legislative Games Begin](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/hawaii-legislative-games-begin.html) Posted on January 27, 2026, by Henry Curtis Each member of the Hawaii Legislature can introduce bills until Wednesday, January 28, 2026. While any senator or representative can introduce bills, committee chairs often introduce multiple short-form (blank) bills related to their jurisdiction to ensure they can address urgent issues that arise after the session’s initial deadline. [Jan 26](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/offshore-wind-project-still-planned.html "26th January") ### [Offshore Wind Project Still Planned Near Ka\`iwi Channel](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/offshore-wind-project-still-planned.html) Posted on January 26, 2026, by Henry Curtis Related Articles: Proposed O\`ahu Floating Wind Farms Are Dead in the Water (June 30, 2025) Floating Offshore Wind Turbines Proposed for O\`ahu (May 25, 2021) Hawaiian Electric Company is looking at what should be built on and off the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii in the early 2030s. [Jan 23](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/risk-evaluation-nuclear-power-vs.html "23rd January") ### [Comparative Evaluation --- Nuclear Power vs Liquefied Natural Gas](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/risk-evaluation-nuclear-power-vs.html) JERA\`s LNG explosion in Freeport, Texas Posted on January 23, 2026, by Henry Curtis At the request of the Governor, the Hawaii State Energy Office published the “Alternative Fuels, Repowering, and Energy Transition Study” report in 2025. HSEO found that LNG should be imported into Hawai\`i. At the request of the Legislature, the Hawaii State Energy Office published the "Advanced Nuclear Power Technologies in Hawai\`i" report in 2025. [Jan 22](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/reading-tea-leaves-at-hawaii-public.html "22nd January") ### [Reading Tea Leaves at the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/reading-tea-leaves-at-hawaii-public.html) Posted on January 22, 2026, by Henry Curtis Understanding internal politics in a regulatory agency is difficult. It was clear that something was happening at the Hawai\`i Public Utilities Commission in the month before Leodoloff (“Leo”) Asuncion, Jr. announced that he was stepping down as Chair and quitting as a Commissioner on November 17, 2025, seven months before his term ended. Asuncion often sat by himself in working groups meetings and other commission events. He didn’t often smile. [Jan 21](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/refocusing-at-life-of-land.html "21st January") ### [Refocusing at Life of the Land](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/refocusing-at-life-of-land.html) Posted on January 21, 2026, by Henry Curtis The four-week flu during the holidays was a wake-up call for the staff at Life of the Land. A period for rest and reflection. Life of the Land can’t do everything. What are we passionate about? What can we do that will make significant changes? For the Life of the Land Executive Director, it is energy policy and regulation within an environmental and social justice framework. 1 [Jan 20](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/hawaii-legislature-will-consider.html "20th January") ### [Hawaii Legislature Will Consider Portable (Balcony) Solar Bill](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/hawaii-legislature-will-consider.html) Posted on January 20, 2026, by Henry Curtis Balcony solar systems—small, plug-in photovoltaic (PV) devices typically ranging from 200 to 1,200 watts that connect to standard household electrical outlets—occupy an emerging and legally fragmented position in the United States as of January 2026. Plug-in solar provides a low-cost entry point (\$400 to \$2,000 versus \$25,000+ for rooftop systems) with zero or minimal installation requirements. [Jan 19](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/hawaii-state-legislative-reforms-needed.html "19th January") ### [Hawaii State Legislative Reforms Needed](http://www.ililani.media/2026/01/hawaii-state-legislative-reforms-needed.html) Posted on January 19, 2026, by Henry Curtis The Hawaii State Legislature will open tomorrow. Bills that did not pass last year are still alive. In addition, 120 new House bills and 394 new Senate bills have been pre-filed. Senator Chang has re-introduced his bill for a continuous legislative session. SB2380 is a constitutional amendment that would initiate a continuous session starting in 2031. Three Divergent Views Don\`t worry. A year-long session will fix all legislative problems.   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[](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn0O6o8-q37w6aNdhQNg8BMuJ_PiV-RBmzNEt3ry0mNfntsO60uI3ODwHGctSKLNMHq8MsyFtUnPbdqwXgAuc00G7iAgG0oHHHXsWRI4x2MsZWjRLA0M3gu4898Z1De0P7TDSKHMl_MbU2XoeRlxAgeAVG1P9ezaP_hHeiKBO-O593xPiDwSHB3IcCEeK/s225/Tesla.jpg) Posted on September 13, 2024, by Henry Curtis The United States Environmental Protection Agency noted that the Lahaina fire was the first major fire with numerous electric vehicles and residential lithium batteries. The batteries posed risks to firefighters since they could catch fire, explode, and/or give a powerful electric shock. Safety issues with the high-voltage, lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles first gained widespread attention when a Chevrolet Volt caught fire three weeks after a crash test in May 2011. The battery at the first Kahuku wind farm caught fire in 2012. Luckily the wind was blowing in a direction away from the Kahuku community. Firefighters did not enter the building until seven hours after the flames started because of questions regarding the toxicity of the batteries. The **[Tesla Semi](https://www.tesla.com/semi)** is a battery electric semi-trailer truck that is powered by three carbon-fiber wrapped motors, one operates continuously at optimal efficiency, while the other two motors provide additional power for acceleration and hills. The vehicles have a range of 500 miles and uses only 1.7 kWh/mi. Initial deliveries of Tesla Semis were made to PepsiCo on December 1, 2022, and are now being tested by Walmart, Costco, Sysco, Martin Brower, and US Foods. A Tesla Semi caught fire along Interstate 80 near Emigrant Gap, about 70 miles northeast of Sacramento, in the early morning of August 19, 2024. The Semi left the road while going around a curve, went down a slope, and came to rest against several trees. After the crash, the Semi’s lithium-ion battery ignited. Batteries can reach 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit while burning. The highway was shut for 16 hours. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that California firefighters used 50,000 gallons of water to extinguish flames after a crash and firefighters used an aircraft to drop fire retardant on the “immediate area” of the electric truck as a precautionary measure. The National Transportation Safety Board issued a report, **[Safety Risks to Emergency Responders from Lithium-Ion Battery Fires in Electric Vehicles](https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Documents/SR2001.pdf)**, in 2021. The report documents the agency’s investigation of four electric vehicle fires involving high-voltage, lithium-ion battery fires. Three of the lithium-ion batteries that ignited were damaged in high-speed, high-severity crashes, and the fourth lithium-ion battery fire occurred during normal vehicle operations. All three of the crash-damaged batteries reignited after firefighters extinguished the vehicle fires. The battery in the fourth investigation did not reignite. Fires in electric vehicles powered by high-voltage lithium-ion batteries pose the risk of electric shock to emergency responders from exposure to the high-voltage components of a damaged lithium-ion battery. A further risk is that damaged cells in the battery can experience thermal runaway – uncontrolled increases in temperature and pressure – which can lead to battery reignition. The risks of electric shock and battery reignition/fire arise from the “stranded” energy that remains in a damaged battery. The National Transportation Safety Board is not allowed to admit evidence into the record, to assign fault or legal liability, and the report\`s description of accidents cannot be used in civil action for damages. The Safety Report identified two main safety issues through its investigation: the inadequacy of vehicle manufacturers’ emergency response guides, and the gaps in safety standards and research related to high-voltage lithium-ion batteries involved in high-speed, high-severity crashes. The Report made safety recommendations that included adhering to international standards, further research, publishing manufacturer emergency response guides, and vehicle-specific information in emergency response guides for fighting high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires. The Report recommended electric vehicle manufacturers provide information and available guidance to first responders and other crash scene workers about fire risks associated with high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires in electric vehicles. The information should address mitigating thermal runaway and the risk of high-voltage lithium-ion battery reignition, mitigating risks associated with stranded energy in high-voltage lithium-ion batteries during emergency response and before a damaged electric vehicle is removed from the scene, and safely storing an electric vehicle with a damaged high-voltage lithium-ion battery. \# \# \#