CNMI organization seeks utilities reform

A new community organization in Saipan is seeking to hold the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation accountable and ease the burden on ratepayers.

Candice Muna, chair, Kånnai Komunidat - Payúúr Toulap, said, "It means community hands or hands of the community."

After being terminated by the CUC, Muna, a former grants writer candice, continues to sound the alarm. Recently, the new community organization brought their concerns to the governor.

"We delivered two letters to the governor. One of them was to require CUC to do a cost of service study with a federally-backed energy laboratory. We specifically named nrel because [they have] been tyring to do a cost of service study with cuc since as far back as 2015," she explained.

She wants to see a more transparent report from CUC that also addresses water quality. The second letter they wrote supports a bill that would transition the NMI hospital from a government rate to a commercial rate model and waive all late fees and penalties for its utilities. They say it would help ratepayers.

Community member Analee Villagomez says this would lay the foundation for expanded infrastructure. She added, "My focus is to see it happen in the islands of Pagan, Agrigan, and Alamagan. So if we are having the problems here, how can i make that work over there?"

She hopes addressing the issue entices more people to move home and resettle. The group is still waiting for a response.

"We have not received a response yet from the governor," Muna confirmed. "In fact, I think the government has remained very silent towards me and towards the concerns of our community. There have been just a few legislators who have spoken up."