Authored by Rep. Stanley T. Torres, R-Saipan, House Bill 16-99 is now being reviewed by the Senate Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications.
According to Taotao Tano president Gregorio T. Cruz Jr., passing the measure is in the best interest of the public.
But Cruz said he wants to know whether the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. charged its customers the $1 million in revenue losses it has incurred in 2006.
“In reviewing the audit reports on financial statements [made by J. Scott Magliari & Company] water, sewer, and other revenues were decreased by $1 million (8 percent) compared to revenues for 2005,” he stated.
If a utility meter reader breaks down, is “anyone certified and trained to recalibrate or repair them?” Cruz asked.
The House passed H.B. 16-99 with an amended provision stating that if CUC cannot attain actual meter reading, it should call the customers to attain the meter reading, provided CUC “shall not bill customers more than 45 days of estimated utilities.”
Cruz said Senate should also pass the bill.
