Hofschneider, R-Saipan, told CUC Executive Director Tony Muna that reduced power rates are crucial to the survival of businesses on the islands.
“This action is critical to the survival of local businesses and the well-being of our families. As you are aware, several businesses have recently announced closures, including, Carmen Safeway Supermarket, Blockbuster, among others, citing power costs as the primary reason for closing their doors,” the lawmaker wrote to Muna.
“Jobs are lost, adding to the hardship already experienced by our families. It is imperative that we provide relief,” he added.
CUC adopted a new power rate formula in July 2006 that allows it to adjust the electric fuel rates component based on actual prices of diesel fuel that it imports from Singapore.
Last month, residential customers were charged from 37.8 cents to 44.8 cents per kilowatt hour, depending on their consumption.
The government and business sector paid 44.8 cents per kwh of energy they consumed for September.
Before July 2006, residential customers were paying 11 cents per kwh for their electricity while businesses and the government were charged 16 cents per kwh.
