We are at a very critical juncture in developing our clean energy future and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) needs stability to continue to address many of the important regulatory issues before it. Therefore, I intend to keep Mina Morita as Chair of the PUC, on a holdover basis beyond June 30, 2014 when her term ends.

At the present time, Chair Morita has business before the Board of Land and Natural Resources, which must be addressed.

She will continue to serve in the position while these issues are being resolved.

Tomorrow is the deadline for the governor to submit nominees to the state Senate for consideration in the current session, and it has been unclear whether Morita would be reappointed to a new term. Here’s what state law says on holdover appointments:

Any member of a board or commission whose term has expired and who is not disqualified for membership under subsection (a) may continue in office as a holdover member until a successor is nominated and appointed; provided that a holdover member shall not hold office beyond the end of the second regular legislative session following the expiration of the member’s term of office.

Read Civil Beat’s related reporting on the Morita appointment:

Is Mina Morita Out As Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Chair?

Hawaii Legislators Press Governor to Keep Morita at Utilities Commission

Photo: Mina Morita and Gov. Abercrombie. (Abercrombie Administration)

—Chad Blair