Deleon Guerrero awaits CUC input on CPUC bill

Two board meetings have passed since the topic came up of drafting a bill that would require the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission to come out with decisions within a fixed timeframe but, according to Rep. Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan), he has yet to receive any comments from CUC.

As chairman of the House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communication, Deleon Guerrero informed the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. board and executives on Sept. 30, 2014, that he would draft such a bill if needed.

Earlier, CUC board chair David Sablan Jr. and other board members recommended to the Legislature to amend the law governing the CPUC so it would be required come up with decisions faster.

“This is due to long periods of time it takes the commission to make a decision on rate case petitions,” Sablan said.

Sablan noted that CUC board had submitted a recommendation to Sen. Pete P. Reyes (Ind-Saipan), who chairs the Senate PUTC, to amend Public Law 15-23 and give the commission a fixed timeframe to issue decisions on rate case petitions presented by CUC. The same recommendation was also addressed to the House of Representatives.

Deleon Guerrero told Saipan Tribune that he is still waiting for comments from CUC. “What I need from CUC in order to draft this bill is the overall scope such as the time that the commission needs to review rate decisions and contracts. Because in my understanding there are also contract reviews,” Deleon Guerrero said.

He said that even if CUC submitted its recommendation to the Senate, the bill will still have to through the House of Representatives, after which both chambers will have a joint deliberation on what to do with the bill itself.

He said he agrees with the CUC board on a specific timeframe, but CUC has to identify what timeline is reasonable for which type of petition, whether it is for a rate increase or decrease, a new charge or fee, or any changes in rates.

“It all has to be broken down. This came up because the commission took about a year to come up with a decision. If they give us what is reasonable, we can have other considerations if the Legislature reviews what CUC needs,” he said.

Sablan declined to comment any further on the matter.

CUC executive director Alan Fletcher has yet to respond to Saipan Tribune queries as of press time.