Hawaii’s top utility regulator is calling it a day. Public Utilities Commission chair Leodoloff “Leo” Asuncion Jr. will step down next Monday, opening a rare seat at the agency right as it tackles big calls on rates, grid resilience and how to plug more renewables into the islands’ power mix.
Gov. Josh Green announced the move in a newsroom release, praising Asuncion’s long public-service résumé. “Leo’s decades of work in planning and policy, including his leadership at the PUC, have provided meaningful service to Hawaiʻi,” Green said, according to the Office of the Governor. The release lists Nov. 17 as Asuncion’s last day and says the administration is now accepting applications to fill the commission seat.
“It has truly been an honor to be of service to the state,” Asuncion added in the governor’s release, per the Office of the Governor. He was first appointed to the commission in 2019 by then-Gov. David Ige and has served as chair since July 1, 2022, according to Kaua‘i Now.
What the PUC Does
The Public Utilities Commission regulates electricity, gas, water, telecommunications and motor and water-carrier services statewide, with a mandate to ensure safe, reliable and affordable service. Commissioners are appointed by the governor to six-year terms and oversee rate cases, resource planning and other dockets, according to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.
Big Issues On The Docket
Asuncion’s exit lands in the middle of technically dense, high-stakes proceedings — from debates over “wheeling” (letting generators move power over utility lines) to wildfire-mitigation plans and rate cases. In a July interview, he said wheeling could help keep power flowing and better use existing infrastructure, as reported by Hawai‘i Public Radio. Meanwhile, ongoing debates over wildfire liability and utility finances underscore why this vacancy will draw intense scrutiny from lawmakers and consumer advocates, per Hawaii News Now.
How To Apply
The governor’s office says applications are open through the state’s Boards and Commissions portal; candidates can review requirements and submit materials at Hawaii Boards and Commissions. Applicants should have experience in accounting, business, engineering, government, finance, law or related fields, and any appointee will be a full-time PUC employee who may not own stocks or bonds in a public utility, according to Kaua‘i Now.
Whoever the governor taps will need state Senate confirmation — a process sure to draw close attention, given how PUC rulings shape energy policy and monthly bills across the islands. Expect utilities, lawmakers and consumer advocates to circle this one.
