‘Lack of commissioners will stop CPUC from functioning’

Viola Alepuyo, the chairperson and the only commissioner of the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission, disclosed yesterday that the regulatory agency will stop doing its work effective tomorrow due to lack of members.

Alepuyo said this lack of commissioners could affect the work that its consultant, Georgetown Consulting Inc., is providing to the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.

Alepuyo disclosed that her appointment, which had already been extended for an additional 30 days, expires today, June 7. She said that, according to the commission’s legal counsel, Anthony Long, the commission is “unable to rule or make a decision after the expiration.”

Georgetown has a contract with CPUC and is considered a commission staffer. Under the law, its services to CUC must be compensated, provided it is approved by the commission.

“Based on the lawyer’s advice, the commission is unable to rule or make a decision after tomorrow and I hesitate to order the commission staff to continue assisting CUC,” said Alepuyo, adding that the only time the commission can do business again is if the second commissioner will be onboard soon.

According to CUC legal counsel Debra Fisher and chief financial officer Charles Warren, stopping the service of Georgetown will hamper the work it needs to accomplish for CUC.

“We have a lot of ongoing issues that we need to resolve. We have a large rate case in October for water and wastewater division. We have also a hearing on LEAC rate and other works. So we will encourage the Legislature to meet and vote for the applicant,” said Warren, adding that without Georgetown’s assistance, future rate cases will be deemed one-sided because the consultant has not given the opportunity to review the petitions.

Because of the many requirements for the preparations of rate cases, Warren said it is a possibility that CUC may defer some of its works.

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial appointed Ignacio Perez from Tinian as CPUC commissioner. However, to date no action has been taken by both House of Representatives and the Senate for his confirmation. The candidate needs both Houses’ approval for his appointment. Perez will serve the remaining term of Kimberly King-Hinds whose term expires on Feb. 6, 2012.