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Posted: Thursday, June 28th, 2012 8:58 AM HST

Hawaii enacts law for undersea cable system

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii's governor has signed a bill into law that paves the way for an undersea cable to connect Oahu and neighbor island power grids. The bill signed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie establishes a regulatory structure for installing and implementing an interisland high-voltage electric transmission cable system. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports he said at Wednesday's bill signing ceremony it doesn't mean a cable will be imminent but that it lays the foundation for one. Neighbor islands residents have been skeptical about an undersea cable proposal. But proponents say it would allow power sharing between islands, which could increase the reliability of electricity and lower power costs. Hawaii households pay about $200 a month for electricity, three times the national average.