{"id":38314,"date":"2015-09-14T13:11:03","date_gmt":"2015-09-14T23:11:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=38314"},"modified":"2021-07-27T15:56:07","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T01:56:07","slug":"community-feedback-sought-on-proposed-merger-between-hei-and-nextera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2015\/09\/14\/community-feedback-sought-on-proposed-merger-between-hei-and-nextera\/","title":{"rendered":"Community feedback sought on proposed merger between HEI and NextEra"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> < 1<\/span> minute<\/span><\/span>

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The newly formed Energy Justice Working Group at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> William S. Richardson School of Law<\/a> will begin reaching out during September for community feedback on the proposed merger between Hawaiian Electric Industries<\/a> and Florida-based NextEra<\/a>, one of the nation’s largest energy providers.<\/p>\n

In a series of public meetings scheduled on the North Shore for September 19, 26 and 27, the group will provide a general overview of the proposed merger, and then form small listening groups so residents can share and discuss their thoughts, opinions and ideas.<\/p>\n

The North Shore was chosen as a template for the island as a whole, and because of interest expressed by that community for a public discussion of plans, options and alternatives.<\/p>\n

Associate Professor Shalanda Baker<\/strong>, director of the new Energy Justice Program<\/a> at the law school, sees the community meetings as an opportunity to begin a statewide conversation about energy justice.<\/p>\n

“Energy justice is universal access to affordable, renewable energy,” said Baker. “Energy justice is also the implementation of clean energy solutions rooted in democratic, stakeholder-driven processes that equitably allocate the costs and benefits of energy development.”<\/p>\n

Event information<\/h2>\n

All meetings are free and open to the public.<\/p>\n

Schedule<\/strong><\/p>\n