Muna told Greg Cruz, Taotao Tano president, that CUC will be announcing two bids — one will be for the overhaul of engines 5 and 7 and the other is for an independent power producer for Power Plant 1.
“Who would you recommend to participate in the evaluation committee to review proposals?” Muna asked Cruz in his e-mail.
But Cruz said Taotao Tano doesn’t like to be a part of a “biased” review committee.
The current committee, he said, is comprised of members who are not knowledgeable about power utilities operation.
He said the committee was created within the administration and there is a conflict of interest in its decision-making process.
“We question the members’ backgrounds and technical qualifications,” he said, citing the “questionable” contracts awarded by CUC to DCM Group and the Commonwealth Industrial Supply Company Inc.
The members of the evaluation committee are Dr. James Quick, the governor’s energy consultant; Steve Hiney, the Department of Public Works’ solid waste management division program manager; Thelma Inos, energy director; and Assistant Attorney General Anthony Welch.
Cruz said Muna should get experts who are knowledgeable about the power generation.
CUC needs technical people on the committee, Cruz added, because the panel has to review and analyze documents and proposals that are highly technical in nature.
According to Cruz, members of the committee must have technical or financial backgrounds and have no conflicts of interest.
“This issue is about oversight, transparency, accountability, and responsibility,” he added.
