I mention “points of contention” specifically since your letter did not address any of them initially presented. Instead you chose to try and point out a “contradiction” in my letter. However, the statements you cited were taken as miniscule snippets out of context with the letter itself. When addressed as a whole, the letter is not contradictory in any way.
The entire thing can be boiled down to simplicity and its overall meaning summarized as: CUC does NOT need to raise rates (or cause tax increases) in order to give the public refunds (or credits) of ill-gotten gains from illegal rates. Also described were 8 possible ways for CUC to improve which may allow refunds or even greater benefits WITHOUT raising rates. I wish you would have addressed some or all of them instead of trying to force the focus away from productive discussions. FORGET the lawsuit — stipulate to its concerns and MOVE ON!
Of further interest is President Obama’s speech on energy programs presented today in southern Florida at the dedication of Florida Power and Light’s new 180 acre solar power production site. He specifically mentioned that new ARRA money is NOW being made available to communities to upgrade inefficient or outdated utility transmission lines and services. As pointed out in one of my suggestions, this upgrade would seriously improve the cost of power on Saipan. Along with that, continuing programs of solar and wind power suitable for Saipan at the private consumer level are eligible for very substantive federal assistance. This is important (at the federal level) for Saipan since, UNLIKE most other states, the NMI offers NO incentives for such installations other than a forgiveness of IMPORT duties and taxes — a miniscule amount to be sure.
Another point of interest to President Obama’s speech was the part he left out. That is that Florida Power and Light has INCREASED utility rates to its customers on the solar system by 7 cents per KWH (that’s about $70 per month for the average residential customer) SOLELY as a surcharge on TOP of regular rates to pay for the new solar array — for TEN YEARS. Commercial solar power is not cheap! Other power in southern Florida is produced by gas, coal, diesel and nuclear. The current rate is about 10 cents per KWH — it has now gone UP to 17 cents per KWH solely due to the addition of a commercial solar array for about 3,500 residential homes.
Instead of trying to find technical fault with letter writing skills by comparing extracted snippets, it would serve the community well if the issues at hand would be directly addressed and discussed. CUC does NOT need to raise rates to pay the refunds, but it must address the issues presented. President Obama coincidentally addressed several of the points made in my last letter. He specifically stated that utility companies who address things such as distribution systems, alternative power sources, INCLUDING NUCLEAR, and install devices such as smart meters, pre-paid power, and address administrative fees stand to save the public BILLIONS of dollars in the delivered cost of power.
CUC MUST begin addressing the points of my letter, now, if it is to survive as an essential community service. And, HEINZ, in case you are reading this, BROADEN your scope of thinking: the new, SAFE, small nuclear modules (also mentioned by the president) are the BEST, SAFEST and CHEAPEST way for the NMI to solve its power crisis — permanently.
DR. THOMAS D. ARKLE JR.
San Jose, Tinian
