The emergency declaration also allows Fitial to award contracts without going through the bidding process.
Signed on Dec. 3, Executive Order 2008-21 states that CUC desires to comply in advance with environmental and land use regulations in relation to the 15-megawatt containerized generators of Aggreko but its operation cannot be interrupted.
“Taking Aggreko’s units off line, while undergoing the time and expense of computer modeling of the emissions of Lower Base power plants, would have triggered renewed rolling blackouts for Saipan,” Fitial stated in his six-page E.O.
He added that CUC continues to face additional challenges that can only be met through the suspension of certain procurement regulations.
The U.S. Department of Justice has sued CUC in federal court for noncompliance with critical water and sewage treatment requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The governor said complying with the EPA’s orders will require financial resources not available at this time.
