Flashback July 05, 2000-2002

[B]July 05, 2000

Fuel costs cut CUC revenues[/B]

Rising fuel costs continue to jack up operating expenses of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, while the inability to collect payment for government utilities begins to shrink its revenues from October 1, 1999 to April 30 this year. The government-owned utility firm spent $14.7 million to purchase fuel to run its power generators during the seven-month period, up by staggering 60 percent over the same period during the previous fiscal year.

[B]Higher interest rate delays floating of $60-M bond[/B]

Higher interest rates that prevail in the mainland United States economy is delaying the CNMI government’s flotation of the $60 million municipal bond, which will be used to match available federal funds for several infrastructure projects in the Northern Marianas. The Commonwealth Development Authority earlier expressed optimism the bond will be sold in the U.S. market towards the end of last month but underwriters decided to hold back in anticipation of lower interest rates next month.

[B]CNMI celebrates Liberation Day[/B]

Hundreds trooped to Beach Road in the tourist district of Garapan to watch the Liberation Day celebration with over 30 groups and 20 colorful floats participating in the yearly festivities. The parade, participated in by various companies and groups groups representing the diverse cultures in the Northern Marianas, kicked off at around 9:00 a.m. and lasted shortly before noon. More activities proceeded at the American Memorial Park Liberation Carnival site.

[B]July 05, 2001

Saipan aircraft traffic down 77 percen[/B]t

Aircraft traffic at the Saipan International Airport dropped 77 percent in April 2001, which explains the reason behind nine percent decline in the number of people disembarking at the island’s air transport facility. A report obtained from the Commonwealth Ports Authority disclosed a nine percent fall in arrival figures in April 2001 from last year of the same month’s 42,999 to this year’s 38,987.

[B]60MW Saipan power plant project drags on[/B]

Just when the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation announced plans to increase power rates, the issue on whether to conclude the five-year-old bidding for the 60-megawatt Saipan power plant has not been resolved. The power plant is expected to decrease CUC’s operating expenses, thereby strengthening the agency’s fiscal capability. It is also expected to lower private firms’ power bills by reducing the need for generators.

[B]Errors doom Rota’s funding realignment[/B]

Several technical deficiencies forced Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio on Tuesday to veto a bill that would have allowed the realignment of unspent money to finance community improvement projects in Rota. Tenorio said he has disapproved House Bill 12-392 as it contained several technical errors that have to be addressed first.

[B]July 05, 2002

NMI braces for Chataan’s fury[/B]

Tropical storm Chata’an intensified to a typhoon as it approached the Northern Marianas yesterday-calling to duty emergency response teams from different government agencies from their Liberation Day Holiday-as the first typhoon to hit the islands this season brought heavy rains and strong winds that necessitated preparations for possible evacuations. At the Commonwealth Health Center, a power outage occurred, but the Department of Public Health said it did not interrupt hospital operations. The department encouraged women who are at least seven months pregnant to take refuge at the hospital if they do not feel secure at their homes.

[B]Festive mood succumbs to nature’s whips[/B]

The festive mood in yesterday’s Liberation Day celebration appeared unfazed by the rain showers brought on by a tropical storm-in the morning at least. A couple of hours after the morning parade concluded, the Commonwealth’s celebration spirit succumbed to the threats of nature’s whips and kicks via tropical storm Chata’an, which had left more than 30 people dead and several others injured in Chuuk.