ELR Citation: 53 ELR 20047
No(s). SCOT-22-0000418 (Haw. Mar 13, 2023)

The Hawaii Supreme Court affirmed the Public Utility Commission's (PUC's) decision denying an energy company's request to supply energy to Hawaii Island using a biomass power plant. The company appealed, arguing the PUC misunderstood its mandate and held it to an unfair standard. The court disagreed, finding the PUC understood its public-interest mission, faithfully followed the court's previous instructions to consider the reasonableness of the proposed project's costs in light of its greenhouse gas emissions and its impacts on intervenor members' right to a clean and healthful environment, stayed true to the language of its governing statute by measuring the project cost and system impact, and acted properly in its role as fact finder when it evaluated the company by its own statements and promises and ultimately found them unconvincing. The court affirmed the PUC's decision.