CUC remains under the executive branch after the governor declared the CNMI under a state of emergency for the fourth month in a row.
But Sen. Paul Manglona, R-Rota, said Public Law 16-17, or the CUC Private Sector Partnership Act of 2008 which was enacted on Sept. 18, 2008 after lawmakers overrode Fitial’s veto, mandates the governor to appoint members of the CUC board which will serve as the autonomous agency’s governing body.
The governor renewed for the third time last week the CNMI state of emergency declaration to give CUC more time to secure environmental permits for the 15 megawatt generators it is renting from the U.K-based Aggreko International Power Projects Ltd.
The governor said the emergency declaration is also aimed at allowing CUC the flexibility to address environmental concerns on a fuel tank located near the lagoon.
The declaration suspends procurement regulations concerning power and related contracts for CUC.
“It is absolutely necessary that we keep Saipan running,” said the governor in a written statement. “CUC is repairing our electric system as best as it can, but until that job is done, we need temporary power from Aggreko and we need the ability to buy parts and labor quickly to meet our emergencies.”
Senate President Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, said he will write a letter to the governor to urge him to appoint the members of the CUC board.
The Senate held a session on Thursday.
