Power generation on Tinian

Sen. Paul Manglona is right on with his suggestion to move the surplus 10 megawatts of power generation on Tinian to Saipan. As the good senator from Rota noted, Telesource has already made this option known to CUC. That is because the entire Tinian power plant built by Telesource becomes the property of CUC this coming February, assuming that CUC makes its final payment. It is a logical move.

It is hard to understand why every single member of the Tinian delegation signed off on the Aggreko deal, further increasing Tinian power rates with nothing in return for the people of Tinian, while the Telesource opportunity was at hand.

A reduction in the size of the Tinian fossil fuel power generation facility is in the best interest of both the people of Tinian and the CNMI. Right now, the entire 20 megawatt facility must be maintained, even though only approximately 5 megawatts are being consumed. The maintenance of the unused portion increases our power rates unnecessarily. Sending the surplus to Saipan will help relieve the power woes on Saipan and allow the full use of the generators, thus making the cost of maintenance effective.

At the same time the power plants are transferred, we would ask Senator Paul to support legislation to create the Tinian Utilities Corp., separate from CUC. This will allow us to create a rate for power consumers on Tinian that reflects only the cost of power generation and distribution on Tinian, without the cost of maintenance, repair and upgrading the Saipan facility.

More important still, by creating the independent Tinian Utilities Corp., Tinian will be able to immediately take advantage of alternate energy options. When the alternate energy source kicks in, our power rates will be among the lowest, if not the lowest, in the western Pacific. This will encourage businesses to invest their dollars on Tinian, CNMI. This will benefit not only the people, but also the people of the CNMI as all revenues generated on Tinian, outside of the casinos, are deposited in the CNMI general fund.

Again, kudos to Senator Paul and I do hope his colleagues will support him and follow through with the movement of the Tinian generators to Saipan and the creation of the Tinian Utilities Corp.