[toomuchtodo]

I was under a similar impression, but an independent audit found that while unnecessary staffing (and associated costs) was occurring, it didn't appear that the utility was attempting to sandbag the grid transformation. There's bloat, but also legitimate progress.

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/audit-of-hawaiian-electric-...

> Contrary to stakeholder criticism, Hawaiian Electric's support of Hawaii's groundbreaking 100% by 2045 renewable portfolio standard (RPS) has been strong, the audit found. "It has exceeded its mandated obligations" and criticisms "appear to be largely unfounded."

> The problem is cost, it said. Meeting the RPS and the challenge of integrating rooftop solar have led to increased workload and costs, the audit recognized. But Hawaiian Electric increased staffing "with little evidence of any business cases supporting these additions."

[fulafel]

2045? A 30 year transition plan (since '15) sounds like doing nothing and branding it.

[ineedasername]

Only if they aren't making progress towards the goals, but they do seem to be making progress.

[fulafel]

The progress could be just from the world changing around them (cost competitive renewables). Doing something would mean putting some skin in the climate change fight.

[ineedasername]

How would that differ from simply gradually shifting to renewables?