DALLAS M. Peavey Jr., PhD, the deputy director for electric power systems of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., has been designated as acting executive director until further notice, according to a memorandum dated Feb. 21, 2023 from Janice A. Tenorio, CUC board chair pro tem.
She added that CUC Executive Director Gary P. Camacho will be on leave starting Thursday, Feb. 23.
Variety learned that Camacho has resigned effective March 26, 2023, which is also the end of his contract.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios earlier told the CUC board that he opposes an extension of Camacho’s contract.
Camacho has been with CUC for more than 25 years. He served as procurement specialist and manager of the power generation division of the public utility.
In 2017, District Court for the NMI Designated Judge David O. Carter approved a stipulation agreement waiving the qualification requirement which paved the way for Camacho’s appointment as executive director.
In a recent letter to CUC board members Janice A. Tenorio, Donald Browne, Allen Perez and Frank Lee Borja, the governor said he opposes any continuation of the waiver of qualifications for the CUC executive director position.
Palacios noted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also objects to the renewal of Camacho’s contract and the continuation of any such waiver.
According to Variety files, the minimum requirements for the executive director include a master’s degree in management, engineering, finance or public administration or, in the alternative, a bachelor’s degree in engineering and registration as a professional engineer pursuant to the National Council of Engineering Examiners standards in the civil, mechanical or electrical branch.
In addition, an applicant must have at least 10 years’ senior management experience in wastewater, drinking water and/or power utility.
For her part, Elizabeth Loeb of the U.S. Department of Justice-Environmental Enforcement Section is seeking the federal court’s guidance on how to expedite CUC’s compliance with some requirements of Stipulated Order 1, including the vacancies in critical positions.
Judge Carter has scheduled a series of status conferences for Feb. 27 through March 3, 2023.
In November 2008, the federal court issued Stipulated Orders 1 and 2 after EPA cited CUC for violating the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The first stipulated order focuses on drinking water issues while the second concentrates on oil concerns.
Dr. Dallas M. Peavey Jr.
