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Torres looking into CPUC, CUC management needs
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said he is looking into filling the vacant positions in the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission.
At present, the regulatory agency has only three commissioners, two members short of the total five seats that they have.
“We’ll be working to fill those positions,” Torres told Saipan Tribune.
According to Torres, there is a challenge in filling in the members of the commission.
“We’re looking seriously into the CPUC board because it’s always been a very difficult board to fill,” Torres said, “Of course, with the role that they have, it’s really not easy to fill those positions.”
In a separate interview, CPUC chair Joe Guerrero said he has reached out to the governor as well as the Attorney General regarding their membership.
“I think he is still searching,” Guerrero said.
Because there is a minimum of three commissioners for CPUC to function, if only one of them is absent or not available, they cannot do business.
Two out of the three members that they currently have will end their term in May.
“Right now, my term ends May 30 so does Oscar Quitugua representing Rota,” Guerrero said.
Another commissioner, Dave Guerrero, will end his term next year.
“If I don’t get reappointed or I don’t get a replacement then the commission will not be able to function,” he added.
Similarly, the governor said he will also look into replacing Commonwealth Utilities Corp. director Chris Concepcion who will be resigning.
Concepcion will take up his position as managing director for the Marianas Visitors Authority in April.
Concepcion has mentioned to the governor that he needs to focus on his new responsibilities.
“If Chris needs to resign, then I thank him for his services and his time [as CUC director]. Now that he’s playing a different role, and he has to resign, I respect that,” Torres said.
“We’ll look into having somebody to replace him in his position,” he added.
