‘CUC cannibalizing Tinian generators for Saipan’

The Tinian Legislative Delegation expressed alarm yesterday over the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s alleged “dismantling and cannibalizing of two generators on Tinian” for Saipan use.

Tinian Sen. Joseph M. Mendiola disclosed that CUC, following an order from its power plant repair consultant, Ramon “Kumoi” Guerrero, allegedly took some parts of the Tinian generators, which Mendiola described as “idle but are still pretty new and in good condition.”

He said these two generators were used before the takeover of Telesource of power generation on the island.

There is currently no need for these two generators, which are under the jurisdiction of CUC-Tinian.

Mendiola, in a letter to Gov. Juan N. Babauta, who currently controls CUC after his May 19 state of emergency declaration on utilities, said the development “causes concern to the Tinian leadership on a number of levels.”

Mendiola said that, although the generators were given to CUC, they were purchased using Tinian’s Capital Improvement Project funds.

“These will now be used on Saipan, apparently without at least some consideration of compensation for Tinian,” he said.

He said there is no objection to the transfer of the equipment to Saipan but due courtesy must be given to the local delegation.

“I’m not objecting…as I understand the dire need for Saipan CUC to upgrade and maintain the power generation there,” said the senator.

CUC’s actions, he said, were done without notifying the Tinian leadership.

In the past, he said, whenever CUC needed funding for its CIP projects on Tinian, the local leadership was always consulted.

“For CUC to come to Tinian and take the actions it took without at least a courtesy notification [to the local delegation] is just plain disrespectful,” said Mendiola.

The senator said he also questions the “emergency power used to justify this action.”

He said had there been a consultation, the delegation could have advised the administration of required environmental cleanup of the site, and possibly asked that future Saipan CIP funds be set aside for that purpose.

“By removing the generators and its parts without addressing the cleanup may pose environmental hazards to our community, especially with its proximity to the shores and the town. Would this require another ‘state of emergency’ because of the possible future environmental hazards?” asked Mendiola.

The senator said that CUC began taking out parts of the equipment on Wednesday.

He said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires cleanup of the site after the removal of the generators and destruction of the old plant.

In his letter to Babauta, Mendiola said former senator Guerrero, “acting pursuant to your ‘emergency powers’ instructed the transfer of generator parts to Saipan.

Guerrero is in charge of mechanical and electrical repair of Power Plant II in Lower Base.

The Governor’s Office said yesterday that it is addressing the delegation’s concerns.