FLASHBACK – July 7, 2012

July 7, 1999

CUC close to choosing Saipan power plant builder

A final report on the independent re-evaluation of the stalled power project on Saipan is expected to be completed within the next few days, inching closer to selecting a contractor to build the 80-megawatt plant, officials said yesterday. Burns & McDonnell, a U.S. engineering firm hired by Commonwealth Utilities Corporation to conduct another round of review on various project proposals, will submit its recommendations to the Board of Directors either this week or early next week. CUC Executive Director Timothy P. Villagomez said the board will decide whether to accept the recommendations and to award the $120 million project to the winning contractor.

‘Live with what you have’

The chair of the House Ways and Means Committee has issued a stern warning to departments and agencies to live within their budget as lawmakers begin this week hearing various appeals for additional funds in line with the legislative review of the FY 2000 budget proposal. “Those who can’t be accommodated in the request for additional money, we just have to tell them that they just have to live with what they have,” said committee chair Rep. Karl T. Reyes. Tasked with deliberating on the spending plan submitted by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio last April, the panel expects to be inundated with requests for larger share of the government revenues estimated to reach $206.98 million next fiscal year.

July 7, 2000

Aranza eyes meeting with Legislature

Office of Insular Affairs Director Ferdinand Aranza vowed yesterday to meet with members of the Legislature to personally respond to allegations leveled against the federal agency over its treatment of the CNMI. At the same time, he reiterated his support for OIA’s field representative here, Jeffrey Schorr, who has come under fire in both chambers after being implicated in the alleged improper political activities and smear campaign against the Commonwealth. Local senators last week adopted a resolution that called for his ouster, describing him as a “spy” based on the evidence uncovered by U.S. House Resources Committee Chair Don Young (R-Alaska) on its investigation into OIA’s activities.

$850K grants from OIA

More than $850,000 in grants were received by the CNMI government from the Office of Insular Affairs yesterday to help the island meet its needs concerning upkeep of the American Memorial Park, coral reef protection and Y2K remediation measures. OIA Director Ferdinand Aranza flew in from Guam for a day trip on Saipan to specifically hand over the federal funds and to discuss with CNMI officials bilateral issues, such as economic concerns. Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio and Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan attended the formal transfer of the federal funds to the Commonwealth held midday at the American Memorial Park.

July 7, 2003

No FEMA funds yet for CUC

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. has not received anything yet of its 90-percent expected reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Rota typhoon assistance. This, even as FEMA assistance funding for all jurisdictions was reportedly de-allocated due to a national budget situation last month, prompting the CNMI government to request for its reinstatement. The CNMI has since then received assurance from FEMA that its assistance funding would be reinstated. In a report to the CUC Board of Directors, acting comptroller Ed Williams said that he has not received any information as to when the CUC can claim any of its reimbursement. The agency expects to get $657,000 out of its $730,000 worth of submitted claims.

Power outage results in $15K losses

The island-wide power outage last June 4 resulted in a $15,600 loss for the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., according to CUC acting comptroller Ed Williams. He said a three-member team comprised of personnel from power generation, power division, and accounting determined that CUC lost some $11,545 in revenue. In addition, the outage caused three water well pumps to burn out, which required approximately $7,940 in replacement. These pumps are located at Marpi Quarry, Isley Booster No. 2, and Agag Well No. 50.