Utility bills to fall with price of fuel

KAHULUI - Falling fuel prices will continue to mean lower monthly power bills for Maui County consumers this month, Maui Electric Co. announced.

A typical Maui household using 600 kilowatt-hours per month will see its bill drop $30.17 from $191.78 in December to $161.61 this month, the utility reported.

Molokai and Lanai residents use less power, on average 500 kilowatt-hours per month, according to MECO.

Molokai residents should see their bills drop from $202.51 to $184.86, and Lanai residents' bills should fall from $225.15 to $171.94.

Maui Electric's fuel pass-through amount shown on bills lags behind current world oil prices by 30 to 60 days because the utilities on the three islands have about a one-month supply of oil bought in advance.

The utility says it makes no profit on fuel.

The Public Utilities Commission monitors pass-throughs to ensure it reflects the price of fuel when it was purchased.

MECO's fuel adjustment started falling in October. In September, a typical Maui consumer paid $256.73, which means that with the lower pass-through in January, consumers are paying approximately 37 percent less.

On Molokai, households will pay about 27 percent less since September; and Lanai residents will see bills about 32 percent less.