“Any power plant operation, be it normal or otherwise, is always a risk. That’s all I can say. What we need to do is be sensitive to what the engines do at the end of the day,” Muna told Variety.
He noted that “Shell and Mobil [fuel depots] are near [the power plant] — I think it’s really an indicator that we should do something about it.”
Yesterday, only three engines of the plant were online, causing intermittent power outages all over the island.
According to Muna, “The public has been critical of CUC because of the power outages. But how do you solve that problem? You can’t solve that problem by continuing the status quo.”
Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio said if the power plant’s engines could explode, the facility should be shut down.
For her part, Rep. Tina Sablan, Ind.-Saipan, wants to know why federal agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration failed to note the dangers lurking at the power plant.
During the House’s session yesterday, some lawmakers demanded a written assessment from technical experts regarding the possibility of CUC’s engines exploding anytime.
CUC presented at least three mechanics who told lawmakers that the engines were exhausted and overheating.
Muna said they welcome any inquiry from concerned federal agencies and expressed hope that they can work with CUC.
“We’re an open door to any agency that has interest in what we’re doing. Hopefully they’ll bring solutions,” he said.
According to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s state of emergency declaration, “The condition of the engines is so bad that the technical experts at the power plant cannot predict precisely the time of failure. But they do predict…a catastrophic failure.”
The declaration allows him to approve contracts for CUC without going through the bidding process.
House legal counsel Joe Bermudes said the governor has the legal authority to declare a state of disaster emergency under the CNMI Constitution.
He added that an emergency wholesale purchase of a power generation contract without the review of the Public Utilities Commission is also valid under a newly signed public law and Executive Order 2008-10 which the governor signed on Aug. 1.
The EO suspends all procurement regulations relevant to CUC’s power contracts within the next 30 days, subject to further extension.
