The Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission said the hearing begins at 6 p.m. After six days, CPUC will review comments gathered before making its recommendation.
Georgetown Consulting Group, Inc., an independent regulatory consultant to the commission, tasked to investigate CUC’s electric rate structure, had completed its expert testimony on the subject.
GCGI said CUC should adopt a new power rate formula that will allow it to recover the actual cost of importing fuel used to generate electricity in the Northern Marianas.
It called the mechanism the Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause or LEAC which should allow CUC to impose fuel recovery charge calculated every six months.
If CPUC fails to approve new power rates by Dec. 31, 2008, CUC will be forced to lower residential power rates to 17-22 cents per kilowatt hour under Public Law 16-2.
In an announcement, CPUC said the Georgetown Report is available for public inspection at the Law Offices of Viola Alepuyo on the second floor of the J.E. Tenorio Bldg., in Gualo Rai.
“This docket begins an incremental regulatory process by which CPUC will first determine and then provide the just and reasonable rate support, which is necessary to enable CUC to provide reliable electric service,” it reads.
“CPUC welcomes the public’s attendance at the hearing and will welcome public comments at the conclusion of the hearing,” it added.
Alepuyo chairs CPUC, an independent government entity tasked to oversee all CNMI business related to telecommunications and utilities.
