PUTC to CUC: Is there a power crisis?

The House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation, and Communications yesterday asked the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to clarify reports that the Commonwealth’s power system is on the verge of a “meltdown.”

PUTC chair Timothy Villagomez asked CUC board chair Herman P. Sablan and executive director Lorraine A. Babauta to meet with the committee to discuss the urgency of the situation, which could affect businesses and potential investors in the Northern Marianas.

“The committee is very anxious to discuss the problems that are plaguing the power generation system. The information that we have received described the situation as a serious crisis. Some have even suggested that the power system is on the verge of a meltdown,” said the vice speaker.

Because of what he described as the “urgency of the situation due to numerous scheduled power outages,” the PUTC hopes to conduct the meeting at the earliest convenient time.

Villagomez also told Sablan and Babauta that appropriate senior management staff from the Power Plant Division should also attend so that the committee may be fully apprised of the situation.

According to the vice speaker, the meeting would not only dwell on the power outages but would explore other issues, including pending Capital Improvement Projects under CUC’s authority.

“Come prepared to discuss pending CIP as members are concerned about the lack of progress on the construction of approved projects. The committee is looking forward to the opportunity to discuss these matters. My office would be expecting a call by early next week on a meeting date and time,” said Villagomez.

In a separate interview with House spokesperson Charles Reyes, he said the meeting stemmed from numerous power outages scheduled by the CUC. Legislators, he said, want to know how stable the CNMI’s power supply is.

He said these power outages might be disrupting services not only in the government sector but private businesses as well.

Also, a stable power supply is a measure used by potential investors and the lack of it would lessen possible business proposals.

Also, Reyes said the meeting might also take up the indebtedness of the CNMI government with CUC and the ongoing discussion between utility firm and the CNMI on how the problem would be resolved.

Reyes said other issues may also be tackled when the PUTC and CUC meet.