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PUC appointees sworn into office
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Posted on Apr 04 2008
The three appointees to the Public Utilities Commission were sworn into office yesterday.
With three members—Viola Alepuyo, Kyle Calabrese, and Kimberlyn King-Hinds—the regulatory body now has a quorum and can begin conducting business.
“I am happy to administer the oath for the first three members of PUC. This is a true moment in our time,” Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said.
Shortly after taking their oath, the new PUC members met with the governor and Anthony Guerrero, executive director of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation.
The commissioners’ first task is to establish rates for CUC.
Press secretary Charles P. Reyes said the administration is hopeful that the commission will act quickly to set rates that will ensure full-cost recovery for the Commonwealth’s utility.
“We expect the commissioners to set rates objectively, impartially, without regard to partisan concerns—rates that are fair to both the consumers and the utility,” Reyes said.
Residential power rates have rolled back to 17 cents per kWh—as set by the Legislature—after emergency regulations adopted by CUC expired in March 2008. The regulations had provided CUC the flexibility to adjust the fuel component of power rates over the past four months.
The creation of a utilities commission has hit numerous obstacles since the PUC Act was enacted in 2006. The administration faced hardship in finding appointees who have the necessary expertise, but none of the familial or professional ties that may cause conflict of interest.
Even the appointment of King-Hinds was marred by controversy. Rep. Stanley T. Torres, one of the lawmakers who oppose King-Hinds’ nomination, resigned as chairman of the House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation, and Communications after majority of the House members voted to confirm her appointment.
