By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

THE Commonwealth Utilities Corp. says it will allow customers with billing disputes to enter into a payment plan so they can avoid disconnection.
Some of the complaints of these CUC customers were filed as far back as the fall of last year.
CUC’s administrative hearing officer Linn Asper issued an order last week asserting the legality of the new power rates and dismissed all billing complaints.
He further ordered the complaining customers to pay the disputed amounts within 30 days or on an agreed-upon payment schedule.
Grina Mizutani, CUC’s chief of administration, said numerous customers have come forward to cancel their disputes and make utility payments following the administrative order.
“This is great news for the 15,000 customers who diligently pay their utility bills every month. They know that engines don’t run without fuel, and the fuel isn’t free or cheap. Pick-up trucks don’t work without the gas, and CUC cannot make electricity without fuel,” said Mizutani in a statement to the media.
More than 400 families who disputed power bills face disconnection if they don’t pay their bills within a certain period.
Mizutani said CUC will allow customers who are willing to cancel disputes to enter into an immediate payment plan.
This payment plan essentially allows customers who disputed accounts on or before March 1 of this year and whose utilities were not previously disconnected for nonpayment to keep their power provided they settle their previous disputed bills within a three-month period.
According to CUC, these customers must pay 25 percent of their bill and will have no more than three months to pay the previously disputed amount. They must also keep their accounts current.
“We limit payment plans to residential customers and the number of times that they may apply so they don’t end up deeper in debt. When accounts are disputed and customers pay very little, they end up with huge bills and this is the chance to come in and work it out,” said Mizutani.
“Based on the hearing officer’s decision that the electric rates were properly implemented last year, (CUC) does not want people to panic, but wants them to know that they should make payments to avoid disconnection. Customers who previously disputed the rates and who still want a hearing will clearly be given one,” she added.
CUC charges a $75 reconnection fee.
It also requires security deposits in an amount equal to a two-month billing, before the disconnected utility service is reconnected.
“As accounts are disconnected, the security deposit is recalculated under the new rate schedule and according to the customer’s usage,” CUC said.
CUC’s new power rates doubled the cost of electricity in the Northern Marianas.
Before, residential customers were paying 11 cents per kilowatt hour and a 3.5-cent fuel surcharge per kwh.
Commercial and government customers used to pay 16 cents per kwh for their basic electricity and a 3.5-cent fuel surcharge per kwh.