Maui Electric Company is seeking regulatory approval for a 9.7 percent rate increase next year it says is needed to help pay for capital improvements and increased operating and maintenance costs.

The hike, which would apply to customers on Maui, Lanai and Molokai, was requested in an application MECO submitted late yesterday to the state Public Utilities Commission. The increase would increase annual revenue by $28.2 million for the utility.
The PUC and the Division of Consumer Advocacy will review the rate request, and any rate increase, if approved, is not expected to take effect until mid-2010 at the earliest.
If the full request is approved by the PUC, a typical residential household in Maui County would see the following changes:
• Maui (600 kwh per month): $13.43 per month increase, for a total bill of $172.46
• Lanai (500 kwh per month): $14.61 per month increase, for a total bill of $181.80
• Molokai (500 kwh per month): $13.65 per month increase, for a total bill of $172.69