A plea for federal help with CUC crisis

I am writing to you out of a grave concern for the people of Saipan of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands who have been suffering from frequent recurring power outages coupled with the highest electrical utility rates in the country. Although this problem has not been caused by natural disaster, the result is the same and the persistent lack of electric power is resulting in a looming threat to public health and deepening economic depression. During power outages, water cannot be pumped into homes, sewage treatment plants cannot operate, food and medicines cannot be kept at safe temperatures, and businesses cease to function.

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. has not been able to meet daily peak demand for more than a year, and recently has not been able to generate less than half of the daily power requirement. At the same time there has only been a significant involuntary reduction in demand as more than 800 households have been forced to disconnect and many businesses closed because they simply cannot afford to pay the almost .50 a kilowatt per hour utility rate charged by CUC. The high power rates are a result of a combination of high operating costs, old and inefficient generators, and high diesel fuel costs resulting from the exorbitant cost of crude oil and high shipping costs.

CNMI Governor, the Honorable Benigno R. Fitial, has exhausted CIP funding earmarked for vitally needed infrastructure attempting to repair Saipan’s primary generators over the past year; however, they continue to fail and the situation grows worse everyday.

This letter is being sent in desperation. I know fully well that it is the responsibility of the Governor to request federal disaster assistance, but due to his reluctance and inaction to do so, I am appealing to you for assistance. Governor Fitial has declared a disaster emergency and I am attaching a copy of that declaration for you information and review.

Therefore, Mr. President, on behalf of your fellow American citizens residing in the CNMI and as their duly elected representative here in Washington, I respectfully request assistance in not only assessing the scope and magnitude of this catastrophe, but also in finding an immediate and timely resolution to this urgent humanitarian crisis.