Want to share your thoughts on the role of rooftop solar in Hawaii’s energy future? Think geothermal should be expanded to power all the islands?

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The electric utilities on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island are seeking public comment on five-year energy plans. 

A 68-member advisory group, composed of a diverse cross-section of local residents that has been meeting for months, provided input on the action plans. (However, the group’s facilitator described the process as rather troubled in a report earlier this month.)

Hawaiian Electric Co., and its MECO and HELCO subsidiaries, expect to file final plans with Hawaii’s Public Utilities Commission by June 28. 

From a HECO press release: 

Hawaii Island

Tuesday, June 4: 6-8 p.m. Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo

Wednesday June 5: 6-8 p.m. 96-1149 Kamani St., Pahala

Thursday, June 6: 6-8 p.m. King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, 75-5660 Palani Rd., Kailua-Kona

Oahu

Wednesday, June 12: 6-8 p.m. Farrington High School cafeteria, 1564 N. King St.

Maui County

Thursday, June 13: 6-8 p.m. Pomaikai Elementary School, 4650 S. Kamehameha Ave., Kahului

Wednesday, June 19: 6-8 p.m. Mitchell Pauole Center, 90 Ainoa St., Kaunakakai

Thursday, June 20: 5-7 p.m. Hale Kupuna, 1144 Ilima Ave., Lanai City

The Hawaiian Electric Companies will consider all comments in developing plans that will guide the utilities in coming years.

 Information about IRP, including the four energy scenarios that guided the planning analysis, is available at www.irpie.com, the website of the PUC’s independent representative facilitating and monitoring the process.

Ongoing technical analysis of the scenarios is available on the site. The completed analysis and Draft Action Plans will be available for public review on the site after presentation to the citizens’ Advisory Group on Thursday, May 30, 2013.

(Photo: Civil Beat, wind turbines in Waimea Valley, Oahu)

— Sophie Cocke