Hawaii’s consumer advocate has given its stamp of approval for HECO to recover $3.9 million in studies for the Big Wind project from ratepayers. The request still has to be approved by the state Public Utilities Commission. 

Recouping the costs of the studies has attracted scathing criticism from Henry Curtis, executive director of Life of the Land, as well as Maui County. 

In Curtis’ statement of position – also made public today – he wrote the following:

HECO was required to meaningfully look at alternatives. They failed to do so. HECO was required to examine comparative costs. They failed to do so. 

He said there was little else to say.