CUC imposes the fee on its customers whose power service was cut and who want to be reconnected.
Acting DCCA Secretary Melvin Faisao, in an interview, said the federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which his department administers, has 304 clients paying $10,354 a month for their utility consumption.
He said DCCA supports the passage of House Bill 16-56 to help their LIHEAP clients.
Reps. Ralph DLG. Torres, R-Saipan, and Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan, are the bill’s authors.
According to Faisao, lawmakers should also consider legislation to pay for the power consumption of low-income families.
DCCA data showed that 64 families served by LIHEAP pay CUC $2,048 a month; 49 pay $1,764; 47 pay $1,269; 46 pay $966; 43 pay $1,720; 23 pay $989; 13 pay $598; seven pay $385; and three pay $174.
The House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications endorses the passage of H.B. 16-56.
According to the committee, the high costs of utility services have affected many residential customers of CUC, particularly low-income families who depend on their limited monthly allowance provided by LIHEAP.
The committed finds that despite receiving such assistance, recipients have had their utilities cut-off because of their inability to pay their share of their billings.
“It is unreasonable to expect customers who qualify for financial assistance for their utilities to be able to pay reconnection fees,” the committee stated.
