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Senate panel endorses Barrineau as new PUC commissioner
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Posted on Dec 21 2011
By Moneth Deposa
Reporter
Reporter
The Senate’s Public Utilities Transportation Commission has endorsed the appointment of William Ronald Barrineau to the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission.
Saipan Tribune learned that PUTC chair Rep. Stanley Torres (R-Saipan) recommended to the Fitial administration Barrineau’s immediate appointment as the commission will shut down after Jan. 30, 2012, if no new members are confirmed. The commission currently only has one member, Viola Alepuyo.
In his letter to Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, Torres described Barrineau as an asset to the commission. He said Barrineau has been a resident of the Commonwealth since 1975 and had served with distinction as the executive director and member of the board of directors for the NMI Council for the Humanities for the past several years.
Prior to these experiences, Barrineau also served as a federal grants administrator and CIP manager and had taught both at the Northern Marianas College and the Marianas High School. He also served in the military.
The commission’s second member, Joaquin Manglona, quit in November, leaving Alepuyo as the sole member of the commission. The law allows the commission to function for only 60 days if it has only one commissioner, so unless a new member is confirmed soon, the commission will have to shut down after Jan. 30. Alepuyo’s term at the PUC is until March 2012.
Press secretary Angel Demapan said yesterday that the governor has yet to make any new appointments to the commission. He said some names are being reviewed for possible appointments soon.
“The governor is aware that the commission will be unable to function after Jan. 30. Thus, he is expected to complete his review of individuals he is considering and make an appointment shortly,” Demapan said.
He did not respond to questions if Barrineau will be among the new appointees to the commission.
Commissioners are appointed by the governor and requires confirmation by the Senate.
CPUC has a scheduled business meeting in January where it is expected to decide on several matters, including the rate hike petitions for electric base rate, water and wastewater charges, and abolition of the levelized energy adjustment clause model.
