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‘PUC will review CUC’s rates’
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Posted on Oct 25 2006
The newly created Public Utilities Commission will review and decide on the power rates now being implemented by the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
Acting Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez said that commissioners would be named within 30 days to ensure that the new PUC law comes into force as soon as possible.
Once formed, the commission will review and decide on CUC’s rate structure.
He acknowledged concerns raised during recent public hearings on a proposal to make CUC’s power rate hike permanent.
The customers’ opposition to the rate increase was to be expected, he said. “The reason behind this increase is the cost of fuel, and there’s nothing we can do about it. But PUC will review the rate structure and see if the rates are fully justified,” Villagomez said.
Public Law 15-35, signed Tuesday, abolished the Commonwealth Telecommunications Commission and replaced it with a new agency that will regulate all public utilities in the CNMI.
PUC will have five commissioners, including at least one who has training in the telephone, water and sewer utilities management; at least one with managerial or engineering experience in the field of power generation; at least one with telephone or cable television experience; and at least one who is a certified public accountant. Three commissioners should be from Saipan, and one each from Tinian and Rota.
Appointments to PUC will be subject to approval by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each commissioner will serve a term of four years. (Agnes E. Donato)
