Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, 2nd left, and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, second right, discuss utility issues with newly sworn in Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission members Dr. John “Jack” Angello, left, and attorney James Sirok, right, in the governor’s conference room on Friday.
GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios is counting on the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission to address CNMI utility rate issues.
CPUC is the regulatory agency of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
The governor and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang had a lengthy conversation with the new commissioners, James Sirok and Dr. John “Jack” Angello, after swearing them in on Friday in the governor’s conference room.
Palacios said it has been a challenge when the five-seat commission ended up a few years ago with only two members left — Joe Guerrero and Viola Alepuyo.
Then-Gov. Ralph DLG Torres appointed Oscar Quitugua of Rota and former Rep. Ramon S. Basa of Saipan two years ago after the terms of Guerrero and Alepuyo expired.
At the time, Palacios said, the commission was supposed to conduct a utility rate study aimed at “bridging the gap” between residential, commercial and government rates.
Although the governor has yet to nominate a fifth member, three members already form a quorum, which means they can take action as soon as the commission reorganizes.
The governor told Sirok and Angello that “we need to backtrack” and look into the commission’s past action in regard to utility rates.
Palacios said “somebody needs to bridge the gap” between the rate and the actual cost of producing power.
