The Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission is seeking the Legislature\u2019s help in order to have full authority to go over any and all operational aspects of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.<\/p>\n
CPUC chair Joseph Guerrero disclosed that the commission has formally requested the Legislature to enact legislation that will amend the CPUC Act.<\/p>\n
The commission\u2019s target: to perform a management audit on CUC\u2019s operations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have recommended a bill to authorize CPUC to perform and engage in management audit. We\u2019re the only one among other commissioners that has no power to engage and use that audit [in making decision for an entity],\u201d disclosed Guerrero.<\/p>\n
He said the bill is now at the House committee level for review.<\/p>\n
Guerrero explained that there are several types of audits, and the \u201cmanagement audit\u201d will be an important tool for the commission when formulating orders.<\/p>\n
The current law provides limited authority to the commission. Saipan Tribune learned that CPUC at present could only accept information as presented by CUC, specifically its numbers and figures. <\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, CPUC can recommend and suggest expenses for specific items, but we don\u2019t go out and research. Without this management audit, we\u2019re not operating like other commissions,\u201d said Guerrero.<\/p>\n
He said the management audit will be done independently and could be challenged anytime by any entity. This, he said, must also be agreed to by CUC.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to make sure they\u2019re performing at the peak. It is a tool for us and will be done independently,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
This revelation was welcomed by members of the public that attended Monday\u2019s regulatory hearing, with high hopes that concerns disclosed about alleged \u201cmismanagement\u201d at the utilities corporation will be addressed. <\/p>\n
The CPUC is composed of three members: chair Guerrero and members Dave Guerrero and Oscar Quitugua.<\/p>\n
On Monday, the regulatory body initially approved not only CUC\u2019s electric base rate proposal but also other recommendations, including the 36-month refund for residential users, select non-rate fees, and infrastructure surcharge, among others.<\/p>\n
A final commission order is expected next week when the CPUC resumes its meeting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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