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Notice #: 0000043538-01
Public Hearings

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

APPLICATION OF HAWAII ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY, INC. FOR
APPROVAL TO CONSTRUCT AN OVERHEAD 69 KV TRANSMISSION LINE
PURSUANT TO HRS SECTION 269-27.6(A) FOR ITEM H0001004,
WAIMEA-KEAMUKU 7200 LINE RECONDUCTORING

DOCKET NO. 2008-0060

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”) section 269-27.5, the STATE OF HAWAII, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (“Commission”), will hold a public hearing on July 16, 2008, 6:00 p.m. at the Waimea Civic Center, 67-5189 Kamamalu Street, Kamuela, Hawaii, 96743 relating to the application of Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc. (“HELCO”), filed on April 2, 2008, in Docket No. 2008-0060.
HELCO seeks a Commission determination that the existing Waimea-Keamuku (7200) 69 kilovolt (“kV”) transmission line (from the Waimea Power Plant, south through the Lalamilo Farm Lots along an existing easement, through a State Highway right-of-way, and along the Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 190) to the Keamuku Substation, approximately 12.1 miles) be reconductored and reinforced above the surface of the ground, pursuant to HRS § 269-27.6(a). HELCO primarily plans to reinforce and modify the existing wood poles rather than replacing them with taller and higher class wood or steel poles. As proposed, the pole reinforcement will meet a design wind speed of 59 miles per hour. Where reinforcement is not possible, existing poles will be replaced with taller wood poles or intermediate poles will be installed. The project scope described above may be modified slightly due to further design refinements by HELCO. For a more detailed description of the proposed project, please refer to HELCO’s application which is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the locations listed below.
HELCO states that this project is necessary because the existing 7200 line is presently at risk for overloads of about 20% of its emergency rating as concluded in its Waimea-Keamuku (7200) and Waimea-Ouli (7300) 69 kV Transmission Overload Study, Final Report, dated July 2006. HELCO anticipates completion of construction by December 2008.
All interested persons are urged to attend the public hearing to state their views orally, in writing, or both. Written statements may be submitted prior to or at the public hearing. Statements may be mailed or delivered to the Public Utilities Commission, 465 South King Street #103, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Statements may also be sent by electronic mail to the Commission’s e-mail address at Hawaii.PUC@Hawaii.gov. All written statements should reference Docket No. 2008-0060 and include the following information: (1) name of the person submitting the written statement; (2) organization the person submitting the written statement represents (if any); and (3) address of the person submitting the written statement.
Copies of the application and supporting exhibits are available for public inspection during regular business hours at any of the following locations:

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
465 S. King Street, #103
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 586-2020

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
HAWAII DISTRICT OFFICE
688 Kinoole Street, #106A
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone: (808) 974-4533

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC CO., INC.
Central Pacific Plaza, Suite 1301
220 S. King Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 543-4723

HAWAII ELECTRIC LIGHT CO., INC.
1200 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone: (808) 969-0124

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
DIVISION OF CONSUMER ADVOCACY
335 Merchant Street, Room 326
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 586-2800

Special needs to accommodate persons with disabilities can be made if reasonably requested in advance of the public hearing by contacting the Commission’s Honolulu office.

______________________________
Carlito P. Caliboso
Chairman (SB43538 6/25, 7/2, 7/9, 7/14/08)
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