CUC: Judge’s visit to Saipan facilities ‘extremely helpful’

The recent visit made by U.S. District Court Judge David Carter to the facilities of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. was “extremely helpful” because he actually witnessed several important developments, according to deputy executive director Alan Fletcher.

Carter, together with officials and representatives of local and federal agencies, spent the whole day Wednesday inspecting almost all CUC facilities and projects. Starting as early as 7:30am, Carter walked the oil pipeline route with CUC officials, asking many questions and verifying information along the way. The oil pipeline is among the major projects that are being funded by the federal government.

Fletcher told Saipan Tribune that the tour went very well, although the group wasn’t able to faithfully follow the schedule of places to visit that single day.

Following the visit to the pipeline, the group toured the ongoing EPA remediation work and the power plants. Power Plant 3, he said, was visited after lunch, followed by the various water and wastewater facilities, including the Agingan Wastewater Treatment Plant and ocean outfall.

Fletcher said the group broke up at 4pm then met again an hour later in court. They worked with the judge until 11:15pm. Wednesday night.

“The judge personally oversaw development of the contractor’s constructing execution plan, gaining on-the-spot approvals and consensus between EPA and CUC on a variety of issues,” said Fletcher, adding that CUC and its contractors were also tasked to work through certain elements of the design and construction plan that will be reported back to the court at 4pm Thursday.

“The visit and tour have been extremely helpful to CUC. It has brought together folks from EPA, CUC, various agencies and businesses to cut through ‘red tape’ that typically accompanies the approval process. Judge Carter was very complimentary of all involved and directly recognized the progress CUC has made in meeting the requirements of the stipulated orders,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Carter also praised CUC employees for their accomplishments, Fletcher said. “Clearly, he saw improvements from his last visit and was quick to recognize the work that went into those improvements.”

Based on the judge’s original schedule, most of the pipeline and power visits did occur, with the exception of a visit to Power Plant 4.

In March 2009, U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson signed stipulated orders that set requirements and deadlines for CUC to meet. The orders represent the agreement between the CNMI and EPA based on the requirements of the Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. Stipulated Order I requires CUC to create a new management and financial structure that will enable it to provide potable drinking water and wastewater services. Stipulated Order II involves the lack of infrastructure for safe fuel storage, handling and transfer facilities of the power generation facilities, and power distribution, including possible environmental site cleanup.