EPA tells CUC to stop relying on federal funds
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has warned the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. that it cannot continue to rely on the federal government for financial support, according to EPA project coordinator John Tinger.
Tinger disclosed that CUC submitted an interim financial plan that depends on the federal government funding CUC projects. He described the plan as “unacceptable.”
Tinger’s declaration is attached in support of the U.S. government’s February 2017 status report on some CUC projects.
Needless to say, EPA rejected CUC’s financial plan.
In rejecting CUC’s submission, Tinger said, EPA said that CUC is solely responsible for its operations; that CUC must generate sufficient revenues; and that CUC cannot continue to rely on the federal government for funds.
Tinger said EPA has not received CUC’s response.
Stipulated order 1 requires CUC to have an interim financial plan and a final financial plan that will generate enough revenue to cover compliance activities, stipulated orders, and measures necessary to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.
Since the stipulated orders were entered, CUC has been awarded $54 million in EPA funding for CUC’s SO1 drinking water and wastewater systems.
Prior to the entry of the Engineering and Environmental Management Company order, the Department of the Interior awarded $10 million in federal grant funds for CUC’s Stipulated Order 2 projects. Stipulated Order 2 focuses on oil issues such as requiring CUC to repair and replace oil storage and operation structure, manage tank and pipeline facilities, and require spill and emergency response equipment and protocols.
Despite being one of the most expensive utility services in all of the U.S. I fear our water quality and the cost of electricity will never be up to standard. And even if these are excuses to just take money from the Feds as they say ” all good things come to an end”. So what kind of service do we that live here expect in the future? Poor really poor but priced high.
How about saying that direct to the President.
What! Tinger wants CUC to do things right? Wow!
So true though. CUC need to get its act together.
Makahna, I have a friend that has issues with gambling. Before, I would lend him money to get him out situations he created. Needless to say, I have stopped lending him money. CUC is in that situation. They need to fix themselves and show that they can manage and run a smoother operation. Otherwise, money that continue to flow would be a waste and we the “public” continue to suffer under the incompetence.
At the end of the day, the Feds will cave and it will be business as usual.
These are only words. EPA will not cut CUC off. Look at the past 8 years as CUC has continued to fall apart, but they keep getting funding. Gary and the Board know this and will keep continuing the great job they are doing!
Unfortunately, it is up to the local Govt. to use the “tools” and funding CORRECTLY to achieve the desired results.
It is up the voters to put the proper people with education and experience in the positions to accomplish this.
You know the old saying, “you can take a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink”
The US Govt. can and has given the CNMI multi billion of dollars over the decades but unfortunately there have not been the people with education, common sense, integrity and ethics that has had the knowledge or the will to be able to bring better conditions to the island people.
Most only think about themselves and the same families keep voting them back into office in spite of repeated failure after failure in hopes for a different results.
When the voter stop voteing for friends and family and vote for educated “qualified” responsible people ONLY then may things change.
Look over the past many decades and those political failures that have been at the helm of CUC (and other agencies).
Don’t put the blame on the Feds, the blame lies within the NMI, with the voters and the large families that only care for themselves with their “self entitlement” and “as long as I get mine first” attitude.
It is about time for the Fed to cut the umbilical cord and “force” the NMI to get it’s act together, cut the funding NOW along with the end of the scheduled CW program. Force the Foreign companies to hire and train bt allow to bring under the existing visa program the legitimate “highly skilled” workers that are needed, When and for the duration that they are needed.
Time for all to grow up and take charge of our destiny. Hopefully the “welfare days” are at an end.