Privatization, Alternative Energy, and Conservation.
That is the three-pronged strategy that the Fitial administration will be implementing as part of local efforts to counter the debilitating effects that the skyrocketing cost of fuel is having on the island's economy.
CNMI Gov. Benigno R. Fitial shared this plan yesterday with visiting Pacific island leaders at the kickoff ceremonies for the three-day 8th Western Micronesia Chief Executive Summit being held at the Saipan World Resort.
In his welcoming remarks, Fitial said the prevailing energy problem is one that beleaguers not only the CNMI but also other islands in the Pacific.
He said the cost of fuel has gone up dramatically since the group met earlier this year. “The international price of crude oil is now approaching $100 per barrel. This has greatly affected the CNMI, just as it has also affected other islands within our region,” Fitial said.
The CNMI's chief executive said the partnership between Guam, the Republic of Palau, State of Yap and the CNMI has attained significant progress through the years but “we still face considerable challenges, especially on the energy front.”
Fitial said his administration is looking at a three-fold solution: Privatization, Alternative, Renewable Energy (Wind, Solar, Geothermal Energy), and Conservation.
He said the CNMI must ultimately privatize the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., or at least significant aspects of its functions, “if we are to substantially improve service and reduce costs to businesses and residential consumers. My administration has made good faith efforts to privatize, but we have encountered obstacles and suffered setbacks; but we are still determined to push forward with the effort.”
In dealing with the CNMI's energy challenge, the CNMI could also learn from Guam's experience, so the local government is looking at implementing similar arrangements in terms of outsourcing a portion of CUC functions, he added.
During the three-day summit, one of Fitial's advisers, Dr. James E. Quick, will report on the promise of securing geothermal energy from the volcanic Northern Islands region. “Let me tell you that Lt. Gov. Tim Villagomez and I are very optimistic about the long-term promise of innovative alternative energy technologies,” he said.
The local government will also share the CNMI's zoning plans and continue the discussion on a number of issues such as transportation, tourism, invasive species, recycling, employment, healthcare, the Micronesian Challenge, and the U.S. military buildup within the region in the coming years.
Besides Fitial, other participants in the summit include Guam Gov. Felix Camacho, Palau President Tommy E. Remengasau Jr., Yap Gov. Sebastian Anefal, and FSM representative Robert Lawrence.
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