LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Kaua'i electricity customers can expect a smaller December bill than they'd normally see if the the utility's main lender and the state Public Utilities Commission approve a Kaua'i Island Utility Co-op plan to credit customers with as much as $3.8 million in savings the power company has achieved.

The proposal could mean as much as a $50 reduction in the average monthly bill, which runs about $150. The KIUC board of directors last week voted to ask the Rural Utilities Service for permission to pass the savings on to consumers.

The utility has focused on running its power plants as efficiently as possible, said board chairman Gregg Gardiner. "With fuel costs so high, generating a few extra kilowatt-hours out of each barrel of fuel adds up to additional money at the end of the year," he said.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.