Senator questions CUC inaction on her requests for documents

Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero

Sen. Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan) has questioned the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s inaction on her many requests for information and documents.

DeLeon Guerrero told Saipan Tribune that on Aug. 3, 2022, as chair of the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee, she asked for information/documents from CUC to include the methodology provided by the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission on the Fuel Adjustment Charge rate 4.5%+/-.

“To date since my Aug. 3, 2022 SNILD JGO oversight, no information has been submitted to my office,” she said.

As of press time, Saipan Tribune was awaiting comments from CUC.

Among the information that DeLeon Guerrero requested is the detailed revenue to include any income derived from such revenue and drawdown expenditure(s) report of the Casino Community Benefit Fund given to CUC for the issuance of utility assistance to electric account customers.

The senator said her CUC oversight and requests for information prompted her to introduce Senate Bill No. 22-81 that would allow the disclosure of records or information to a legislative committee.

DeLeon Guerrero also noted that the monthly ExxonMobil price notification letter sent to CUC that has an effect on the FAC rates is an important communication.

She said ExxonMobil’s letter dated Aug. 2, 2022, requested CUC not to share the information because it’s sensitive information covered by copyright and intellectual laws.

The senator said CUC’s letter to her dated Aug. 17, 2022, also did not produce her requests for documents under CUC-IFB-20-001 contract because it’s considered proprietary commercial information.

DeLeon Guerrero stated in her legislation, S.B. 22-81 that legislative standing and oversight committee’s duties and responsibilities include conducting investigations regarding public complaints, issues and matters brought to the attention of the committees.

She said such investigations may warrant obtaining privileged or exempt public records and information from governing bodies and public agencies to address and resolve public issues.

Under the bill, any public record or information which may be non-disclosable under the Commonwealth Code that is in the possession of a governing body or public agency shall be disclosable to a legislative standing or oversight committee of the Senate or the House of Representatives.

This is upon the issuance of a subpoena requesting such record or information or subpoena upon the person in custody of the record or information.