PRIVATIZING CUC IS A WRONG MOVE

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and the Fitial administration want to privatize the operations of the power plants on Saipan and Rota through a 25-year franchise scheme.
Tinian’s power plant is already privately operated under a build-operate-transfer scheme.


NOTE FROM THE COMMUNITY: THE 25 YEARS FRANCHISE SCHEME IS PRETTY DANGEROUS AND IS UNRETRIEVABLE IN THE FUTURE AFTER SIGNING INTO CONTRACT. JUST LIKE TINIAN HAD EXPERIENCED, NOTHING COULD BE DONE DUE TO THE CONTRACT AND IT WOULD TAKE 25 YEARS FOR ANY CHANGES TO BE MADE.

Higher power rates = broken generators

So why are we still experiencing power outages when we are already paying high power bills? Where is all the money going to? It is the year 2007 and we still don't have reliable power, water, roads, and other infrastructure. Sounds to me like bad management. We are already paying ridiculously high rates and yet we still experience all this inconvenience. All these outages will cause appliances to break down. Why are we suffering for the mistake of others? We don't need higher rates. We need more accountability. Less politics.



http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=71476&cat=15

PUBLIC NOTICE - OPA's findings on CUC

CLICK ON THE DOCUMENT ONCE TO OPEN A LARGER VIEW................

92407 RELEASE: Saipan suffered more than 2,000 hours of blackouts

Saipan suffered more than 2,000 hours of blackouts in 2005 and 2006 due to shortages of electricity from the main power plant and the government’s inability to buy fuel


THE CUC NEEDS TO STOP JOKING AND FIX THE PLANTS. HOW MANY POWER PLANTS ARE YOU GOING TO RUN DOWN DUE TO THEIR ROLLING OUTAGES TACTICS? SEEMS LIKE EVERYTIME SOMEONE COMPLAINTS ABOUT CUC BILLING THEY BRAKE ONE PLANT JUST TO PROOF THEY ARE WORKING HARD BUT FORGETS THAT THEY JUST WASTED PROBABLY 2,000. DOLLARS TO RESTART IT AGAIN IN ADDITION 10 CREW MEMBERS SALARY FOR THE OVERTIME FOR RESTORATIONS. THANK GOODNESS THE MASTERMINDS ARE OUT FOR GOOD.

92407 RELEASE ST- Three mechanical problems trigger outage

WHAT DID TAOTAO TANO SAID EARLIER? TOO MUCH ROLLING TACTICS CAUSED THIS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. ANY MECHANICAL EQUIPMENTS WOULD RUN DOWN AFTER SO MANY ON AND OFFS.

Consumers Opinion on customer services

Considering that we are paying for the service, CUC should compute the actual service delivered and bill us for that instead of the 100 percent due to all customers.

I feel like I am being subjected to double jeopardy. In addition to the short water service, the people contacted at CUC seem to be unconcerned. Is CUC a public service agency? Maybe the employees can use a customer service workshop.

I called, someone answered then passed me on to another person, then to another (third) where the telephone call ended. Unfortunately, this is the pattern of response or no response from the CUC.

'Senate has hidden agenda in Rota session'

9/26/07 RELEASE: By Agnes E. Donato SAIPAN TRIBUNE Reporter

Taotao Tano pressed senators yesterday to hold their Oct. 4 session on Saipan instead of Rota.

The group wants to be present when the Senate acts on the governor's veto on legislation lowering electric rates.

In a letter to senators, Taotao Tano president Gregorio Cruz accused the Senate of having a hidden agenda behind the decision to hold the session on Rota.

“The suffering people, the consumer, taxpayers and the voters are still waiting on your promise of a swift override on House Bill 15-246, lowering the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation's exorbitant unjustified rates,” said Cruz.

He added: “Rather than working 24/7 and try to find solutions to your shortfalls, which you all fail miserably by fast-tracking H.B.15-246 [sic], all of you want to add more expenses to the government by conducting a session off-island.

“We ask, who is going to shoulder your airfare round trip tickets, car rentals, luncheons, hotel expenses and not to exclude your other entertainment expenses? Who is going to pay for the utilities incurred for the building after conducting your sessions?”

Cruz called on the senators to cancel their session on Rota and conduct it on Saipan instead. “Save the taxpayers some money, and please prioritize your promise of an override on H.B. 15-246. The suffering people are waiting, gentlemen,” he said.

Senate President Joseph M. Mendiola said he was not sure if the veto would even be on the agenda.

He also said it's Senate policy to hold one session on Tinian or Rota for every two held on Saipan. However, this is not being followed. The Oct. 4 session will be the first on Rota this year.

“They [Taotao Tano] can be present in Rota. They are welcome to attend any of our sessions,” Mendiola said.

CUC KILLER HIGH RATES

We have been doing extensive researches on CUC's unexplained high exorbitant rates for the past 4 1/2 months in order to bring answers to our community the consumers the tax payers and the suffering people of the CNMI. We would like for all of you out there to review our findings and you'll be the judge for we believe both the government and CUC had inflicted pain and suffering for their cover up's and deceptions towards their consumers and their people.

LISTING OF RESEARCHES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS PLEASE REFER LISTINGS BELOW.