I don't follow their day-to-day travails, so I was surprised to learn that the Guam Waterworks Authority is subject to a stipulated order with the Environmental Protection Agency much like ours.
Nothing new for the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation. It is good news to see all the management positions they've been advertising.
This is the text of the EPA release on GWA:
HONOLULU -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today penalized the Guam Waterworks Authority $57,000 for failing to fully comply with a stipulated order to make improvements to its drinking water and wastewater systems.
GWA was penalized for the continued failure to meet a December 31, 2008 deadline for completing a condition assessment to determine the structural stability and soundness of steel tank water reservoirs that need immediate assessment, and for failure to complete a condition assessment of the remaining steel tank water reservoirs by December 31, 2009. Some of the tanks have severely corroded exterior walls, roofs, or valves, or are missing tank parts.
“The penalties are a consequence of GWA’s continued failure to meet the stipulated order requirements and complete the necessary improvements to provide reliable drinking water service to residents,” said Alexis Strauss, Water Division director for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “These water storage tanks are a critical component of the GWA water system, as they help ensure water pressure and adequate flow throughout the system and prevent contaminants from entering the water supply.”
The condition assessment of GWA water tanks was to be performed in two phases. High priority tanks were to be assessed by December 2008, and all other tanks by December 2009. Although GWA did an initial, visual inspection of all tanks in 2008, it has not completed the required, full structural assessments of any tanks to date. The $57,000 penalty assessed today is the second imposed by EPA in response to GWA’s failure to complete the tank assessment. On August 17, 2009, EPA assessed a penalty of $19,000 for GWA’s noncompliance with its duty to assess its high priority tanks through that date.
“Many of the tanks located around the island are in poor condition which underscores the need to complete the assessment and address the deficiencies as required by the court order,” said John McCarroll, Pacific Islands Office manager for EPA’s Pacific Southwest region.
The order provides for penalties if established deadlines are not met and for additional penalties until the work is complete. It also requires upgrades and improvements to GWA’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure to ensure the proper management, treatment and delivery of safe drinking water, and proper wastewater treatment.
Showing posts with label CUC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CUC. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Will Your CUC cost you $320,000,000?
I really hope I got this wrong.
The Environmental Protection Agency just linked me to a new toy based on Google Earth. It shows most EPA enforcement actions in the United States for 2009.
I dutifully went to the Mariana Islands-- the easiest way is to put New Guinea on the bottom of the map and the Philippines on the left side and slowly center us as you zoom in.
Once you find the islands, just click the type of enforcement action in the box on the left and little flags will pop up showing locations. Click the flag and you get a link to EPA's ECHO (Enforcement & Compliance History Online-- another toy I've been meaning to play with).
Saipan and Rota showed nothing I hadn't heard of, all of the violations except one were for the settlement (Stipulations one and two) CUC and EPA entered into March 11, 2009.
Nothing new at all, until I got to the "Enforcement Conclusion Dollar Amounts" in the ECHO search (Since it's a search, you may have to repeat the process; I can't guarantee the link will still work for very long), which lists the "Compliance Action Cost" at $320,000,000. I'm sure that doesn't include penalties for not meeting the deadlines in the stipulations.
Woa. That's the first estimate I've seen. Am I missing something? Someone please tell me I am.
The Environmental Protection Agency just linked me to a new toy based on Google Earth. It shows most EPA enforcement actions in the United States for 2009.
I dutifully went to the Mariana Islands-- the easiest way is to put New Guinea on the bottom of the map and the Philippines on the left side and slowly center us as you zoom in.
Once you find the islands, just click the type of enforcement action in the box on the left and little flags will pop up showing locations. Click the flag and you get a link to EPA's ECHO (Enforcement & Compliance History Online-- another toy I've been meaning to play with).
Saipan and Rota showed nothing I hadn't heard of, all of the violations except one were for the settlement (Stipulations one and two) CUC and EPA entered into March 11, 2009.
Nothing new at all, until I got to the "Enforcement Conclusion Dollar Amounts" in the ECHO search (Since it's a search, you may have to repeat the process; I can't guarantee the link will still work for very long), which lists the "Compliance Action Cost" at $320,000,000. I'm sure that doesn't include penalties for not meeting the deadlines in the stipulations.
Woa. That's the first estimate I've seen. Am I missing something? Someone please tell me I am.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The minimum wage (and other one-liners)
Yes, I said the U.S. Department of Labor's first minimum wage report was a joke, but that's not what I'm talking about.
It's just that the next 50 cent bump in the CNMI's minimum wage has slipped four months to Sept. 30, 2010, according to this line in the Conference Committee Report, according to the Saipan Tribune: "The conference agreement includes a general provision proposed by the Senate that delays until September 30, 2010, and until September 30 of each year thereafter, scheduled minimum wage increases in American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands."
That's the one-line I'm talking about, and it makes sense to wait until DOL has had another chance to come up with a serious product based on real data. I reserve the right to scoff again, but for now I agree with the Governor's spin-doctor of jurisprudence that changes should be "based on objective and informed economic studies to properly guide federal wage policy on the islands."
I can't resist noting in passing that this provision seems to have been added quietly, with none of the warbling coming from the Senate when the minimum wage was raised originally.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial has a point when he says "This also brings some economic relief, especially considering the challenges of federalization and the economic downturn." Four months isn't much anyway, and the Commonwealth is going through some pretty big changes.
Also, if you read the Carbon Copy coming out of Copenhagen, it's clear that energy prices will keep going up. Food prices, shipping rates, gasoline, jet fuel and your CUC bill aren't back to last year's peak, but we've gotten used to the new levels.
People compartmentalize, and while they'll still fill their tank, and not many can afford to go 'off the grid', they're more than willing to resist when other businesses try to recover their costs. In short, while I still favor increasing the minimum wage, I'd like to see what effect it's had so far.
Arrested development
Even the burglars are suffering; they have to make more than one trip: Koblerville church burglarized, again. And, by gosh, we're going to do something about what Department of Public Safety Commissioner Santiago F. Tudela calls "barbaric and intolerable acts". Something like going back to 2002, evidently the last time there was a burglary task force.
Yes, DPS has a lot of officers in the Army Reserve and is undermanned when they are deployed. Still, I'd be less sarcastic if it appeared DPS had acted on its own. Tuesday, KSPN-2's Bob Coldeen reported on his own burglary and several others he had heard of, adding that DPS said they would provide more information Thursday. It's hard to believe they hadn't checked their own statistics before that.
Waiting for Thursday, I visited the DPS website. The TASC/Human Trafficking link didn't even work. It's obvious that, like most CNMI Government websites, it was created and then barely maintained. (Want to check the Sex Offender Registry?) I also stopped by the Criminal Justice Planning Agency, but they only had statistics for one year- 2004. In an email, I politely suggested that they might have forgotten to post other years, but haven't gotten a response yet.
That's history, at least TASC is back in business. In fact, we're told that Lt. Kevin Aldan of the Fire Division will be training 20 police cadets next year.
Uphill, a battle
Maybe we should call it the Northern Marianas College Board of Directed instead of Board of Regents. The Saipan Tribune's latest episode of the NMC soap opera included this choice tidbit from Regent Janet King: "I am presently ordered specifically by the president to 'cease' making comments to the media, because my comments 'undermine' the office of the president, the Board of Regents, and the college community."
Really, I've just been watching, and chatting with a few people who resigned. I don't know enough about the battle lines to chip in. Like many others, I admire the contributions of Sam McPhetres. I was puzzled that he will not have his contract renewed. But I was waiting for him to comment, and he speaks very eloquently for himself.
Really messy surgery
Good news from the Commonwealth Health Center: Public Health Secretary Kevin Joseph Villagomez says new doctors are on the way. "Most of the six physicians will come from the U.S. mainland, he said." (No word on what parts come from elsewhere.)
Maybe I'm being unfair, and either the Secretary or the reporter was having a bad day. For instance, later in the story we get the equally vague "DPH is the largest government agency in terms of hiring nonresident workers, now estimated at over 200. Most are either nurses or doctors."
A milk-curdling cry
Now that I've picked a few nits, it's time to say I don't think life as we know it will end because Gov. Benigno R. Fitial was re-elected. I disagree with some (a lot) of his policies. I think Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider would probably have been a good Governor. So what?
Why are so many people crying over spoiled, spilled milk? Let's return to reality. The problems don't change because a different man is in office. Honestly, early in the Hofschneider campaign, I saw him standing with some (I said some) supporters and almost shuddered. 'These are the guys who got us to this point,' I thought. I can say the same thing about some Fitial supporters. Strange political bedfellows.
Former Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez is a prime example. Before I'd heard of Rydlyme, I thought he shouldn't be involved in CUC, simply because he had been so involved in getting it to its present state. Maybe the Aggreko generators would not have been necessary -- and I think they were -- if someone else had been in charge from the beginning of the Fitial Administration. We'll never know.
Many of my friends lost their jobs in 2006. Many other friends would have lost their jobs if Hofschneider had won. For those in political positions, that's life, in the CNMI or anywhere else.
Years ago, I learned that you can stop hyperventilating if you take a deep breath. That's my resolution for the New Year.
It's just that the next 50 cent bump in the CNMI's minimum wage has slipped four months to Sept. 30, 2010, according to this line in the Conference Committee Report, according to the Saipan Tribune: "The conference agreement includes a general provision proposed by the Senate that delays until September 30, 2010, and until September 30 of each year thereafter, scheduled minimum wage increases in American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands."
That's the one-line I'm talking about, and it makes sense to wait until DOL has had another chance to come up with a serious product based on real data. I reserve the right to scoff again, but for now I agree with the Governor's spin-doctor of jurisprudence that changes should be "based on objective and informed economic studies to properly guide federal wage policy on the islands."
I can't resist noting in passing that this provision seems to have been added quietly, with none of the warbling coming from the Senate when the minimum wage was raised originally.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial has a point when he says "This also brings some economic relief, especially considering the challenges of federalization and the economic downturn." Four months isn't much anyway, and the Commonwealth is going through some pretty big changes.
Also, if you read the Carbon Copy coming out of Copenhagen, it's clear that energy prices will keep going up. Food prices, shipping rates, gasoline, jet fuel and your CUC bill aren't back to last year's peak, but we've gotten used to the new levels.
People compartmentalize, and while they'll still fill their tank, and not many can afford to go 'off the grid', they're more than willing to resist when other businesses try to recover their costs. In short, while I still favor increasing the minimum wage, I'd like to see what effect it's had so far.
Arrested development
Even the burglars are suffering; they have to make more than one trip: Koblerville church burglarized, again. And, by gosh, we're going to do something about what Department of Public Safety Commissioner Santiago F. Tudela calls "barbaric and intolerable acts". Something like going back to 2002, evidently the last time there was a burglary task force.
Yes, DPS has a lot of officers in the Army Reserve and is undermanned when they are deployed. Still, I'd be less sarcastic if it appeared DPS had acted on its own. Tuesday, KSPN-2's Bob Coldeen reported on his own burglary and several others he had heard of, adding that DPS said they would provide more information Thursday. It's hard to believe they hadn't checked their own statistics before that.
Waiting for Thursday, I visited the DPS website. The TASC/Human Trafficking link didn't even work. It's obvious that, like most CNMI Government websites, it was created and then barely maintained. (Want to check the Sex Offender Registry?) I also stopped by the Criminal Justice Planning Agency, but they only had statistics for one year- 2004. In an email, I politely suggested that they might have forgotten to post other years, but haven't gotten a response yet.
That's history, at least TASC is back in business. In fact, we're told that Lt. Kevin Aldan of the Fire Division will be training 20 police cadets next year.
Uphill, a battle
Maybe we should call it the Northern Marianas College Board of Directed instead of Board of Regents. The Saipan Tribune's latest episode of the NMC soap opera included this choice tidbit from Regent Janet King: "I am presently ordered specifically by the president to 'cease' making comments to the media, because my comments 'undermine' the office of the president, the Board of Regents, and the college community."
Really, I've just been watching, and chatting with a few people who resigned. I don't know enough about the battle lines to chip in. Like many others, I admire the contributions of Sam McPhetres. I was puzzled that he will not have his contract renewed. But I was waiting for him to comment, and he speaks very eloquently for himself.
Really messy surgery
Good news from the Commonwealth Health Center: Public Health Secretary Kevin Joseph Villagomez says new doctors are on the way. "Most of the six physicians will come from the U.S. mainland, he said." (No word on what parts come from elsewhere.)
Maybe I'm being unfair, and either the Secretary or the reporter was having a bad day. For instance, later in the story we get the equally vague "DPH is the largest government agency in terms of hiring nonresident workers, now estimated at over 200. Most are either nurses or doctors."
A milk-curdling cry
Now that I've picked a few nits, it's time to say I don't think life as we know it will end because Gov. Benigno R. Fitial was re-elected. I disagree with some (a lot) of his policies. I think Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider would probably have been a good Governor. So what?
Why are so many people crying over spoiled, spilled milk? Let's return to reality. The problems don't change because a different man is in office. Honestly, early in the Hofschneider campaign, I saw him standing with some (I said some) supporters and almost shuddered. 'These are the guys who got us to this point,' I thought. I can say the same thing about some Fitial supporters. Strange political bedfellows.
Former Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez is a prime example. Before I'd heard of Rydlyme, I thought he shouldn't be involved in CUC, simply because he had been so involved in getting it to its present state. Maybe the Aggreko generators would not have been necessary -- and I think they were -- if someone else had been in charge from the beginning of the Fitial Administration. We'll never know.
Many of my friends lost their jobs in 2006. Many other friends would have lost their jobs if Hofschneider had won. For those in political positions, that's life, in the CNMI or anywhere else.
Years ago, I learned that you can stop hyperventilating if you take a deep breath. That's my resolution for the New Year.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Let the fines begin
The Environmental Protection Agency has dropped a $29,000 fine on the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation for not following the terms of a year-old Stipulated Order (pdf).
EPA warned in an Oct. 16 email (pdf) that "Our most urgent concern is for CUC to contain its oil spills, oil containers and spill response capabilities immediately before another typhoon threatens the company's facilities and operations." I guess they meant it.
According to the EPA letter, CUC had accumulated $404,000 in penalties under Stipulated Order One (pdf) as of Oct. 9 and $230,000 pursuant to Stipulated Order Two as of Oct. 16. At that time, the fine for failure to submit a Facility Response Plan was $10,000.
Different penalties accrue at different rates, so we can't assume that the $634,000 in stipulated penalties have almost tripled; we can assume they've grown. A lot.
We can look at all of that and say the glass is half-empty, but wait. Let's look at the fine as a shot across CUC's bow: EPA is signaling that it is very serious indeed about the Dec. 31 deadlines like the financial plan, and that it won't be put off like the Legislature. Still, I give the Administration and CUC a lot of credit for ending years of dithering and agreeing to the Stipulated Orders.
Here's the text of EPA's press release (Too lazy to rewrite, I'll use bold to highlight):
EPA warned in an Oct. 16 email (pdf) that "Our most urgent concern is for CUC to contain its oil spills, oil containers and spill response capabilities immediately before another typhoon threatens the company's facilities and operations." I guess they meant it.
According to the EPA letter, CUC had accumulated $404,000 in penalties under Stipulated Order One (pdf) as of Oct. 9 and $230,000 pursuant to Stipulated Order Two as of Oct. 16. At that time, the fine for failure to submit a Facility Response Plan was $10,000.
Different penalties accrue at different rates, so we can't assume that the $634,000 in stipulated penalties have almost tripled; we can assume they've grown. A lot.
We can look at all of that and say the glass is half-empty, but wait. Let's look at the fine as a shot across CUC's bow: EPA is signaling that it is very serious indeed about the Dec. 31 deadlines like the financial plan, and that it won't be put off like the Legislature. Still, I give the Administration and CUC a lot of credit for ending years of dithering and agreeing to the Stipulated Orders.
Here's the text of EPA's press release (Too lazy to rewrite, I'll use bold to highlight):
EPA fines CUC for failing to submit facility oil spill response plan
$29,000 penalty follows missed deadline stipulated in the March 2009 order
HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today fined the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. $29,000 for failing to meet the requirements of a stipulated order seeking to reform and bring into compliance CUC’s five power plants and an oil transfer pipeline.
Specifically, the penalty is for failing to submit a satisfactory facility response plan as outlined in the order.
The order required CUC to submit a facility response plan for its Lower Base power plants by July 9, 2009. The plan was submitted by CUC. However, on September 17, 2009, the EPA disapproved the initial submitted plan and provided CUC with 20 days to correct and resubmit the plan. CUC did not resubmit a corrected plan to the EPA.
“U.S. EPA expects the CUC to immediately fulfill its obligations under the stipulated order to ensure that a facility response plan is in place at its main power plant,” said Daniel Meer, the EPA’s assistant Superfund director for the Pacific Southwest region. “The potential for oil releases from their facilities and harm to environment is significant and CUC must implement steps to prevent and prepare for such discharges or face additional penalty demands."
CUC owns five power plants on the islands of Saipan and Rota. The facilities and an oil transfer pipeline on Saipan have a history of releases of oil. The EPA has found that CUC has caused discharges of harmful quantities of oil into the nearshore waters and shorelines.
In addition to past oil releases and the ongoing threats of oil releases from these facilities, CUC has failed to prepare and implement oil spill prevention plans for each of its five power plants and a facility response plan at its main power plant in Saipan, which is near Tanapag Harbor.
A facility response plan is required by the EPA for facilities which store over 1 million gallons of oil and have potential to cause significant and substantial harm to the environment. The plans must document that a facility has the necessary resources and equipment to respond to a worst case discharge at the facility, such as those that can be caused by typhoons and earthquakes. The plan also requires the facility to conduct drills, exercises and training to ensure prompt and effective response to small, medium and large oil spills.
The stipulated order is one of two that was entered by the Court on March 11, 2009. The other order covers water and wastewater issues at the CUC drinking water and wastewater facilities.
Monday, November 2, 2009
CUC's penalty phase
The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation *may* be facing $630,000 in penalties from the Environmental Protection Agency. Quick, who didn't see this coming?
I use the word may because the Saipan Tribune is incredibly vague about its source. "In a Sept. 30, 2009 conference with EPA, it was disclosed that that the United States is seriously concerned with CUC's lack of compliance with many important provisions in stipulated orders 1 and 2," the article says. We'll just have to assume a letter or report on the conference is being referenced, because the article is full of 'EPA said'(s).
According to the story "There are a total of 13 provisions that were not met by CUC under the two stipulated orders. EPA described the actions as “alarming.”"
At the time they were reported, I thought that 'Stipulated Order Number One' and 'Stipulated Order Number Two' amounted to de facto federalization of CUC. (Sorry, I couldn't find links to the orders at the U.S. Department of Justice, the Northern Marianas District Court or the EPA.)
The CNMI had been stalling EPA for years, so I was optimistic when Gov. Benigno R. Fitial reportedly said he agreed to the stipulations because "We decided to fix the problem instead."
Then, in June, CUC Deputy Director Bruce Megarr told the Public Utilities and Infrastructure Committee the utility was unlikely to meet EPA deadlines. Uh, oh. Here we go again.
The timing is interesting, because the Governor 'owns' CUC's problems after endless Emergency Declarations.
Eureka!
I was looking in all the wrong places. The Saipan Chamber of Commerce has a treasure trove of Public Utilities Commission documents available for download. They include Stipulated Order Number One and Stipulated Order Number Two.
An October 16, 2009 letter signed by EPA Project Coordinator Michael Lee and On-Scene Coordinator Michelle Rogow seems to be the source for the Tribune article.
(Time to rewrite this, but I'm out of time. Also, I may have to rethink my opinion that the Chamber just isn't relevant to small business owners.)
I use the word may because the Saipan Tribune is incredibly vague about its source. "In a Sept. 30, 2009 conference with EPA, it was disclosed that that the United States is seriously concerned with CUC's lack of compliance with many important provisions in stipulated orders 1 and 2," the article says. We'll just have to assume a letter or report on the conference is being referenced, because the article is full of 'EPA said'(s).
According to the story "There are a total of 13 provisions that were not met by CUC under the two stipulated orders. EPA described the actions as “alarming.”"
At the time they were reported, I thought that 'Stipulated Order Number One' and 'Stipulated Order Number Two' amounted to de facto federalization of CUC. (Sorry, I couldn't find links to the orders at the U.S. Department of Justice, the Northern Marianas District Court or the EPA.)
The CNMI had been stalling EPA for years, so I was optimistic when Gov. Benigno R. Fitial reportedly said he agreed to the stipulations because "We decided to fix the problem instead."
Then, in June, CUC Deputy Director Bruce Megarr told the Public Utilities and Infrastructure Committee the utility was unlikely to meet EPA deadlines. Uh, oh. Here we go again.
The timing is interesting, because the Governor 'owns' CUC's problems after endless Emergency Declarations.
Eureka!
I was looking in all the wrong places. The Saipan Chamber of Commerce has a treasure trove of Public Utilities Commission documents available for download. They include Stipulated Order Number One and Stipulated Order Number Two.
An October 16, 2009 letter signed by EPA Project Coordinator Michael Lee and On-Scene Coordinator Michelle Rogow seems to be the source for the Tribune article.
(Time to rewrite this, but I'm out of time. Also, I may have to rethink my opinion that the Chamber just isn't relevant to small business owners.)
Monday, December 15, 2008
PUC to fix CUC's LEAC
Friday evening isn't my best time to be public-spirited, so I'm grateful the Saipan Tribune covered Friday's PUC hearing. My first choice was judicious alcohol-poisoning with a tribe of misogynistic troglodytes, but I had to tend bar at USSP instead.
A three-hour hearing starting at six to kick off my weekend was right up there, but...
So I wasn't one of "About 15 people, many of whom were legislators" who still remember griping by candlelight a few months ago.
Then again, several people are quoted as being overwhelmed by the amount of information they were expected to digest, so I'd probably be in the same boat.
Better, then, that we have a Monday morning GUIDE TO CUC STIPULATIONS. Even that is frustrating: it doesn't give any figures; I assume none were thrown out in the hearing.
It appears the base rate won't change: "Both CUC and Georgetown agree that more work needs to be done before PUC considers restructuring the base rate, and recommend a base rate hearing before the end of 2009."
That leaves the fuel surcharge, reborn as the acronym LEAC.
So how exactly is this six-month "levelized energy adjustment clause" going to be determined?
"Under the tariff, CUC would be able to recover: fuel and generation lubricant costs and delivered fuel and other costs required by the supplier. The LEAC tariff also would factor in CUC's ability to establish and maintain a 30-day fuel inventory and to develop a reserve to support the availability and efficiency of generating units."
Oh.
So how exactly is this six-month "levelized energy adjustment clause" going to be determined?
A three-hour hearing starting at six to kick off my weekend was right up there, but...
So I wasn't one of "About 15 people, many of whom were legislators" who still remember griping by candlelight a few months ago.
Then again, several people are quoted as being overwhelmed by the amount of information they were expected to digest, so I'd probably be in the same boat.
Better, then, that we have a Monday morning GUIDE TO CUC STIPULATIONS. Even that is frustrating: it doesn't give any figures; I assume none were thrown out in the hearing.
It appears the base rate won't change: "Both CUC and Georgetown agree that more work needs to be done before PUC considers restructuring the base rate, and recommend a base rate hearing before the end of 2009."
That leaves the fuel surcharge, reborn as the acronym LEAC.
So how exactly is this six-month "levelized energy adjustment clause" going to be determined?
"Under the tariff, CUC would be able to recover: fuel and generation lubricant costs and delivered fuel and other costs required by the supplier. The LEAC tariff also would factor in CUC's ability to establish and maintain a 30-day fuel inventory and to develop a reserve to support the availability and efficiency of generating units."
Oh.
So how exactly is this six-month "levelized energy adjustment clause" going to be determined?
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Storm clouds: the week that was
The Marianas Variety implies that less than 1,000 "out of status" workers isn't much.
More than implies actually: "THE Department of Labor says there are less than 1,000 foreign nationals who may be overstaying in the CNMI since they arrived here over the past six years, allaying fears that the commonwealth may be harboring many illegal migrants."
Seems like a lot to me, and how are they getting by without being part of the underground economy?
Fair enough
Will there be a 'bubble' of unneeded employees because of the transition to federal control of immigration? They may be chasing ambulances a bit, but it's good advice for employers "to extend their employment contracts to buy them more time amid ambiguities and uncertainties regarding regulations that are still being drafted."
It could be a rocky transition.
CUC in a nutshell
"When you're looking at financials it tells you (you're) insolvent," Antonio Muna said. "It's difficult in accounting terms to project if it will be a growing concern, because of all of this burden of liability where debt exceeds assets. How do you cope with that?"
Shellgame in a nutshell
(Eloy Inos) added that the projected decrease in personnel outlays due to reduction in employer contribution to the NMI Retirement Fund was not achieved because the anticipated savings were "plowed back into the system and expensed by way of fuel subsidy to [the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.]."
"If that subsidy was in fact treated as payment of government utilities, [the] $2.1 million over-expenditure in utilities expense could and would have been averted," he said.
Just plain nuts
Key provisions of the budget include...
11-percent employer contribution rate to the NMI Retirement Fund;
Prohibition against reprogramming of appropriations for utility expenses;
Flight fright
It's no surprise, really, but Asiana Airlines is losing money on its Saipan route. Hmm, so is it a bad time to sue over Kumho's Laolao lease?
From the comments, there seem to be some unhappy taxpayers, but CDA proposes changes to qualifying certificate program" tells us the government is still working to provide a better deal.
The Flame Sako Resort & Spa proposal for the beach north of the Palms Resort in As Matuis seems to be getting some opposition too. There seems to be a vocal group that's questioning new development. The Dec. 9 hearing at GTC Elementary School should be particularly interesting.
More than implies actually: "THE Department of Labor says there are less than 1,000 foreign nationals who may be overstaying in the CNMI since they arrived here over the past six years, allaying fears that the commonwealth may be harboring many illegal migrants."
Seems like a lot to me, and how are they getting by without being part of the underground economy?
Fair enough
Will there be a 'bubble' of unneeded employees because of the transition to federal control of immigration? They may be chasing ambulances a bit, but it's good advice for employers "to extend their employment contracts to buy them more time amid ambiguities and uncertainties regarding regulations that are still being drafted."
It could be a rocky transition.
CUC in a nutshell
"When you're looking at financials it tells you (you're) insolvent," Antonio Muna said. "It's difficult in accounting terms to project if it will be a growing concern, because of all of this burden of liability where debt exceeds assets. How do you cope with that?"
Shellgame in a nutshell
(Eloy Inos) added that the projected decrease in personnel outlays due to reduction in employer contribution to the NMI Retirement Fund was not achieved because the anticipated savings were "plowed back into the system and expensed by way of fuel subsidy to [the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.]."
"If that subsidy was in fact treated as payment of government utilities, [the] $2.1 million over-expenditure in utilities expense could and would have been averted," he said.
Just plain nuts
Key provisions of the budget include...
11-percent employer contribution rate to the NMI Retirement Fund;
Prohibition against reprogramming of appropriations for utility expenses;
Flight fright
It's no surprise, really, but Asiana Airlines is losing money on its Saipan route. Hmm, so is it a bad time to sue over Kumho's Laolao lease?
From the comments, there seem to be some unhappy taxpayers, but CDA proposes changes to qualifying certificate program" tells us the government is still working to provide a better deal.
The Flame Sako Resort & Spa proposal for the beach north of the Palms Resort in As Matuis seems to be getting some opposition too. There seems to be a vocal group that's questioning new development. The Dec. 9 hearing at GTC Elementary School should be particularly interesting.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Federalization formality
The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation agreed to review and approval of many of its actions by the federal Environmental Protection Agency under the terms of last week's stipulations.
Like it or not, that's federalization. Technically, it is only the formality described by CUC Executive Director Antonio S. Muna. The stipulations were negotiated months ago.
But, according to an EPA press release:
When that happens, Stipulated Order Number One has minimum requirements for a number of positions, including future Executive Directors. Deadlines kick in: for hiring of qualified staff, for an organizational evaluation and reorganization plan (subject to review and alteration by EPA), for (approved) procurement procedures, Standard Operating Procedures, comprehensive training programs... you get the idea. Stipulated Order Number Two deals with oil handling.
It's only for wastewater, drinking water, oil storage, pipelines and spills. Basically, everything but the power plants. And it's bound to be expensive, within 180 days there is supposed to be :
"In the past people wanted to hide from bad news," the Saipan Tribune quotes Gov. Benigno R. Fitial as saying. "We decided to fix the problem instead."
That's twenty years of catch-up in a short time, but this looks like it might work.
Like it or not, that's federalization. Technically, it is only the formality described by CUC Executive Director Antonio S. Muna. The stipulations were negotiated months ago.
But, according to an EPA press release:
The orders were lodged with the U.S. District Court in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands simultaneously with the filing of a complaint by the U.S. Department of Justice to address violations of the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act at facilities owned and operated by CUC. The orders will take effect when signed by the District Court judge following the conclusion of a 30-day public comment period.
When that happens, Stipulated Order Number One has minimum requirements for a number of positions, including future Executive Directors. Deadlines kick in: for hiring of qualified staff, for an organizational evaluation and reorganization plan (subject to review and alteration by EPA), for (approved) procurement procedures, Standard Operating Procedures, comprehensive training programs... you get the idea. Stipulated Order Number Two deals with oil handling.
It's only for wastewater, drinking water, oil storage, pipelines and spills. Basically, everything but the power plants. And it's bound to be expensive, within 180 days there is supposed to be :
A financial management plan which can generate sufficient revenues to cover drinking water and wastewater operations and compliance activities, planning and design of the proposed Village of Kagman wastewater treatment plant, the proper management of oil and used oil from the PP Facilities, oil spill prevention and response activities, as well as any other anticipated related expenses, including all existing debt and expected debt service and the build-up of a financial reserve, discussed more fully below, including the establishment of a rate structure to generate sufficient revenues, until development of the Final Financial Plan based on an approved Master Plan;
"In the past people wanted to hide from bad news," the Saipan Tribune quotes Gov. Benigno R. Fitial as saying. "We decided to fix the problem instead."
That's twenty years of catch-up in a short time, but this looks like it might work.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
And how absurd is it?
I've been having a hard time writing about Saipan lately.
It's just that things have gotten so absurd that it isn't funny. Except that it is. I can picture some late-night comedian saying "it's so ridiculous that...."
The Governor proclaims a State of Emergency because the Power Plant may blow up.
The U.S. Congress adds a special 'CNMI only' labor category because the local government says existing rules will Osterize our economy-- and the Governor wants to sue because no other U.S. jurisdiction has to put up with these onerous requirements.
The closed-door meeting to push for his suit has to be postponed because of a power outage.
The public is brought into the discussion when the Governor posts his talking points on You Tube.
My son asks me if it's true that the (new) Public Utility Commission is to blame for our power problems as the Governor claims.
The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation has more liabilities than assets but the Legislature wants to require a minimum bid for privatization.
Questionable hiring practices have plagued CUC, but the Legislature wants to ensure jobs are "protected" during privatization.
There's no money in the budget for retirement contributions but the Retirement Fund is being asked to risk its dwindling reserves investing in CUC.
The government is bloated (also see retirement contributions) but is trying to argue that there just aren't enough local workers to staff private businesses.
CUC keeps promising to train local workers this time if they just get another extension to hire contract workers.
The Northern Marianas College's director for institutional advancement moves over to shaky private Emmanuel College.
That's just off the top of my head. Now, what did I miss?
It's just that things have gotten so absurd that it isn't funny. Except that it is. I can picture some late-night comedian saying "it's so ridiculous that...."
The Governor proclaims a State of Emergency because the Power Plant may blow up.
The U.S. Congress adds a special 'CNMI only' labor category because the local government says existing rules will Osterize our economy-- and the Governor wants to sue because no other U.S. jurisdiction has to put up with these onerous requirements.
The closed-door meeting to push for his suit has to be postponed because of a power outage.
The public is brought into the discussion when the Governor posts his talking points on You Tube.
My son asks me if it's true that the (new) Public Utility Commission is to blame for our power problems as the Governor claims.
The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation has more liabilities than assets but the Legislature wants to require a minimum bid for privatization.
Questionable hiring practices have plagued CUC, but the Legislature wants to ensure jobs are "protected" during privatization.
There's no money in the budget for retirement contributions but the Retirement Fund is being asked to risk its dwindling reserves investing in CUC.
The government is bloated (also see retirement contributions) but is trying to argue that there just aren't enough local workers to staff private businesses.
CUC keeps promising to train local workers this time if they just get another extension to hire contract workers.
The Northern Marianas College's director for institutional advancement moves over to shaky private Emmanuel College.
That's just off the top of my head. Now, what did I miss?
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Oh say can you CUC
Sometimes I'm a silver-lining sort of person, and those clouds are positively shining this morning.
CUC clouds.
How can that be? Just today, the Saipan Tribune has articles about delaying public school openings, hiring alien workers and not telling customers where to spend their money when the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation is missing in action.
I think we had a record Friday: every story on the Saipan Tribune front page was about CUC; I counted six in the paper. The Marianas Variety went one better with seven stories.
And this is good how? Well, one of the reasons I quit reporting is that it seemed like I kicked some rock or steaming fecal pile every week. I'd take some flak from those affected, get a few pats on the back and everyone would run around shouting and doing their Chicken Little impersonation. Nothing was done and there was always something new to kick. I felt like the Stanley Torres of print and airwaves.
Inevitably, some of those stories were about CUC-- or Public Works before CUC was made autonomous to avoid political interference....
Have we got your attention yet?
Only a few tories are saying 'realistically', 'you don't understand' or 'that's just the way it is' anymore; the bugs that scurry when next week's rock is turned over are all chittering "CUC". Short attention spans don't offer the usual solace.
I hope the Lieutenant Governor is innocent (as opposed to being found not guilty--they're not the same thing), but the federal charges have sure got some people's attention. That's not my call, let a jury decide. I would recommend that his lawyers try to get a trial on Rota or Tinian instead of Saipan; the Palace of Justice can't afford to run its generators during power outages. Talk about prejudicial.
Culture shock
Every company has a culture. CUC's has been self-interest as opposed to public interest, sole-source contracts and payoffs both large and trivial. Nepotism and favoritism were uncontrolled.
The current spotlight (when the power is on) can only be a good thing. No contract will slip through unexamined, and those responsible know it. The Legislature can't 'table' this issue. The Governor may be ruling by fiat, but thousands of people are watching to see whether the Emperor has clothes.
Is that a light I see at the end of this tunnel? Maybe we'll actually get privatization with rational and more efficient management. It's been promised before, but Executive Director Tony Muna says he'll be training local workers while the alien workers bail out CUC's sinking boat. Those workers may come from a manpower agency, but, sorry Felipe, the contract will be scrutinized inside and outside of the government.
Muna has even warned workers about the the appearance of skulduggery. According to the Saipan Tribune "Commonwealth Utilities Corp. employees should not be telling landlords and the general public where and how they should buy backup supplies, such as extra water, to deal with power outages, said CUC executive director Antonio Muña."
Snack time
Just something for Greg Cruz to nosh on while he's looking for another hearty meal to get his teeth into, but why do we still have so many defective photovoltaic cells? I'm told that some of those do-hickeys that are supposed to turn off streetlights during the day were defective when they were purchased. If true, why wouldn't they have been returned to the supplier?
CUC clouds.
How can that be? Just today, the Saipan Tribune has articles about delaying public school openings, hiring alien workers and not telling customers where to spend their money when the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation is missing in action.
I think we had a record Friday: every story on the Saipan Tribune front page was about CUC; I counted six in the paper. The Marianas Variety went one better with seven stories.
And this is good how? Well, one of the reasons I quit reporting is that it seemed like I kicked some rock or steaming fecal pile every week. I'd take some flak from those affected, get a few pats on the back and everyone would run around shouting and doing their Chicken Little impersonation. Nothing was done and there was always something new to kick. I felt like the Stanley Torres of print and airwaves.
Inevitably, some of those stories were about CUC-- or Public Works before CUC was made autonomous to avoid political interference....
Have we got your attention yet?
Only a few tories are saying 'realistically', 'you don't understand' or 'that's just the way it is' anymore; the bugs that scurry when next week's rock is turned over are all chittering "CUC". Short attention spans don't offer the usual solace.
I hope the Lieutenant Governor is innocent (as opposed to being found not guilty--they're not the same thing), but the federal charges have sure got some people's attention. That's not my call, let a jury decide. I would recommend that his lawyers try to get a trial on Rota or Tinian instead of Saipan; the Palace of Justice can't afford to run its generators during power outages. Talk about prejudicial.
Culture shock
Every company has a culture. CUC's has been self-interest as opposed to public interest, sole-source contracts and payoffs both large and trivial. Nepotism and favoritism were uncontrolled.
The current spotlight (when the power is on) can only be a good thing. No contract will slip through unexamined, and those responsible know it. The Legislature can't 'table' this issue. The Governor may be ruling by fiat, but thousands of people are watching to see whether the Emperor has clothes.
Is that a light I see at the end of this tunnel? Maybe we'll actually get privatization with rational and more efficient management. It's been promised before, but Executive Director Tony Muna says he'll be training local workers while the alien workers bail out CUC's sinking boat. Those workers may come from a manpower agency, but, sorry Felipe, the contract will be scrutinized inside and outside of the government.
Muna has even warned workers about the the appearance of skulduggery. According to the Saipan Tribune "Commonwealth Utilities Corp. employees should not be telling landlords and the general public where and how they should buy backup supplies, such as extra water, to deal with power outages, said CUC executive director Antonio Muña."
Snack time
Just something for Greg Cruz to nosh on while he's looking for another hearty meal to get his teeth into, but why do we still have so many defective photovoltaic cells? I'm told that some of those do-hickeys that are supposed to turn off streetlights during the day were defective when they were purchased. If true, why wouldn't they have been returned to the supplier?
Monday, August 11, 2008
CNMI Lt. Gov. in federal custody
That's the headline from KUAM's Mindy Aguon (I was checking on the Olympics).
Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez, former Commonwealth Utilities Executive Director Tony Guerrero, Commerce Secretary James Santos and Joaquina Villagomez are supposedly in federal custody pending a 1:00 hearing today. This relates to alleged misuse of federal funds.
Aguon cites Saipan's KSPN-2, so there should be more on tonight's local news--if CUC's power outages cooperate, I add laconically.
Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez, former Commonwealth Utilities Executive Director Tony Guerrero, Commerce Secretary James Santos and Joaquina Villagomez are supposedly in federal custody pending a 1:00 hearing today. This relates to alleged misuse of federal funds.
Aguon cites Saipan's KSPN-2, so there should be more on tonight's local news--if CUC's power outages cooperate, I add laconically.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Privatization dancing
Most people favor privatizing the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, from what I hear 'on the street' and see in online polls like the one on Rep. Joseph Camacho's website. But proverbally, the devil is in the details.
The Senate has sent the House Bill calling for privatizing CUC within 45 days back with "minor amendments", according to the Saipan Tribune. Well, that's helpful, but about what you'd expect when the story doesn't even mention the bill's number.
How many companies are going to sort through the engine pieces on the power plant floors, take stock of substations, lines and transformers and come back with a bid?
Somebody, preferably from outside the Commonwealth, needs to independently take a 'snapshot' of CUC before there is any request for bids. The Legislature was just guessing when it set the value at $500 million and now $250 million. The winning bidder will also face huge costs for needed spare parts and maintenance that has been deferred for years.
I'm groping in the dark here (Last night too, but that's a different story), but I've heard the company will also have to "protect" current employees. That's hanging an albatross around a pig's neck when hiring practices have helped bring CUC to its current state. The pool of qualified CNMI residents isn't huge. It would be suicidal to fire valuable employees, particularly with the tightening labor market due to impending federalization. Do you really want to pay for the others with higher power bills?
Like any new board members, the Public Utilities Commission had to rack up some frequent flyer miles before digging into business. That's done, but I doubt if they'll be ready to go in 45 days.
Privatization was a great idea 20 years ago. It's a better idea now, but not if it's another one of those rush jobs that has to be done again and again.
Oh, one other thing, a proposed amendment: "Proceeds from this sale may be used for operations only after retiring all government debt and unfunded obligations."
Speaking of rush jobs, The Marianas Public Land Trust will be meeting in the Morgen Building at 9:00 am Monday to discuss Resolution 08-03. You know, Aggreko money.
The Senate has sent the House Bill calling for privatizing CUC within 45 days back with "minor amendments", according to the Saipan Tribune. Well, that's helpful, but about what you'd expect when the story doesn't even mention the bill's number.
How many companies are going to sort through the engine pieces on the power plant floors, take stock of substations, lines and transformers and come back with a bid?
Somebody, preferably from outside the Commonwealth, needs to independently take a 'snapshot' of CUC before there is any request for bids. The Legislature was just guessing when it set the value at $500 million and now $250 million. The winning bidder will also face huge costs for needed spare parts and maintenance that has been deferred for years.
I'm groping in the dark here (Last night too, but that's a different story), but I've heard the company will also have to "protect" current employees. That's hanging an albatross around a pig's neck when hiring practices have helped bring CUC to its current state. The pool of qualified CNMI residents isn't huge. It would be suicidal to fire valuable employees, particularly with the tightening labor market due to impending federalization. Do you really want to pay for the others with higher power bills?
Like any new board members, the Public Utilities Commission had to rack up some frequent flyer miles before digging into business. That's done, but I doubt if they'll be ready to go in 45 days.
Privatization was a great idea 20 years ago. It's a better idea now, but not if it's another one of those rush jobs that has to be done again and again.
Oh, one other thing, a proposed amendment: "Proceeds from this sale may be used for operations only after retiring all government debt and unfunded obligations."
Speaking of rush jobs, The Marianas Public Land Trust will be meeting in the Morgen Building at 9:00 am Monday to discuss Resolution 08-03. You know, Aggreko money.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The joke's on us
The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation has published one of those Good News/Bad News jokes, but like most victims of jokes my laughter is forced.
The good news? CUC is advertising for an "Engineering Manager for Power Generation" and for "Engineer (Mechanical, Electrical, and/or Civil Engineering)" at "VARIOUS DIVISIONS, SAIPAN".
Yup, you guessed it, that's the bad news too. How long have these positions been needed?
Geez, I hope one of them can write. Every time there's a story about alternative energy we get 'there's a law promoting it but CUC hasn't written the regulations yet'.
It sound's familiar. About 20 years ago, give or take a Board member's term, Sen. Herman R. Guerrero pushed through a law authorizing a revolving loan fund to build water catchments. You know, so maybe we wouldn't have to put up with water hours.
The good news? CUC is advertising for an "Engineering Manager for Power Generation" and for "Engineer (Mechanical, Electrical, and/or Civil Engineering)" at "VARIOUS DIVISIONS, SAIPAN".
Yup, you guessed it, that's the bad news too. How long have these positions been needed?
Geez, I hope one of them can write. Every time there's a story about alternative energy we get 'there's a law promoting it but CUC hasn't written the regulations yet'.
It sound's familiar. About 20 years ago, give or take a Board member's term, Sen. Herman R. Guerrero pushed through a law authorizing a revolving loan fund to build water catchments. You know, so maybe we wouldn't have to put up with water hours.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The war that nobody came to
That Public Utilities Commission meeting Saturday could easily have turned into a zoo. I'll bet the Commissioners were wondering whether the Chamber of Commerce conference room was large enough.
Nobody came.
I take that back. There was a quorum and a couple of people watched, but where were Greg and Ed and the countless others who have been after the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation?* Why, it might even had made a nice filler story for the media.
Legislative oversite is fine, but this is the agency tasked with setting the price of your power. Its meetings have a lot more to do with dealing with CUC's problems than standing on some government lawn with a sign.
I know. Meetings are boring, like wading through the newspaper ads announcing them.
But there is important information in the ads; it's why I still buy newspapers instead of reading them online. Besides, I don't want to miss the occasional gem, like the CNMI Department of Labor announcing that Labor Case 02-274 will be heard at 11 a.m. July 18. "Not on file" has a claim against "Not on file". I expect the wisdom of Solomon in this one, with nobody winning and nobody losing.
Check Monday's second notice: the time and date may change.
* Covering my glass house: Saturday is a work day for me. I wanted to go, but couldn't break loose.
Nobody came.
I take that back. There was a quorum and a couple of people watched, but where were Greg and Ed and the countless others who have been after the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation?* Why, it might even had made a nice filler story for the media.
Legislative oversite is fine, but this is the agency tasked with setting the price of your power. Its meetings have a lot more to do with dealing with CUC's problems than standing on some government lawn with a sign.
I know. Meetings are boring, like wading through the newspaper ads announcing them.
But there is important information in the ads; it's why I still buy newspapers instead of reading them online. Besides, I don't want to miss the occasional gem, like the CNMI Department of Labor announcing that Labor Case 02-274 will be heard at 11 a.m. July 18. "Not on file" has a claim against "Not on file". I expect the wisdom of Solomon in this one, with nobody winning and nobody losing.
Check Monday's second notice: the time and date may change.
* Covering my glass house: Saturday is a work day for me. I wanted to go, but couldn't break loose.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Borrow me $4 million
Rep. Victor B. Hocog says they're looking at raiding the Marianas Public Land Trust for four of the six million dollars needed for temporary power from Aggreko International.
Woops, how do they stick with "strict standards of fiduciary care" while making " reasonable, careful and prudent investments" on this one?
Fool me twice, shame on me
The Commonwealth Development Authority has already tossed $45.5 million into that black hole. Maybe they've read up on fiduciary duty: while forgiveness was 'authorized' they didn't go for it. Oh, but CDA did give Gov. Benigno R. Fitial another $4 million two months after the first bill.
So I suppose MPLT will have to stand in line for repayment.
Woops, how do they stick with "strict standards of fiduciary care" while making " reasonable, careful and prudent investments" on this one?
Fool me twice, shame on me
The Commonwealth Development Authority has already tossed $45.5 million into that black hole. Maybe they've read up on fiduciary duty: while forgiveness was 'authorized' they didn't go for it. Oh, but CDA did give Gov. Benigno R. Fitial another $4 million two months after the first bill.
So I suppose MPLT will have to stand in line for repayment.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Modem well done
My modem died today. Actually, it's been in failing health for about a month, but the technician has officially pronounced it DOA. Like most trails of woe these days, the breadcrumbs seem to lead to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation.
I suggested that, even though it was on the backup battery, it probably hadn't done the little DSL gadget any good to be reset from one to three times a day. She agreed.
I combine my trips these days, so I went mouse hunting while I was on the road. Batteries were stacked in a pyramid at PC Outlet. “Your best seller?” I asked. The clerk smiled. I'm shopping around, because mine has been warning me with strange plaintive chirps that it's not happy about working this hard. My brother's just went to the great recharger.
All of which makes me wonder about the cumulative toll on Saipan's electrical population. Many of our toys just aren't designed to be abused this way. Cycling between off and on is the most precarious part of their existence, dangerous like taking off and landing in an airplane. Add the horrendous spikes that piggyback on our already 'dirty' power and, well...
I also wonder how many backup generators are getting enough hours that they're ready for an overhaul. And, because of the economy, how many people will be like CUC and put off that maintenance.
“The mouse that roared?”
The clerk didn't get it. It's an old movie after all, and a tale of a country declaring war on the United States so it can get aid isn't very relevant here.
My chosen rodent has a microphone. “Free” earphones thrown in. No webcam yet, though I was tempted. I'm not ready to play dress-up on the net and, hmm, I'll have to see how federalized immigration would affect that other idea. You know, the sort of Call Center we're likely to get.
I suggested that, even though it was on the backup battery, it probably hadn't done the little DSL gadget any good to be reset from one to three times a day. She agreed.
I combine my trips these days, so I went mouse hunting while I was on the road. Batteries were stacked in a pyramid at PC Outlet. “Your best seller?” I asked. The clerk smiled. I'm shopping around, because mine has been warning me with strange plaintive chirps that it's not happy about working this hard. My brother's just went to the great recharger.
All of which makes me wonder about the cumulative toll on Saipan's electrical population. Many of our toys just aren't designed to be abused this way. Cycling between off and on is the most precarious part of their existence, dangerous like taking off and landing in an airplane. Add the horrendous spikes that piggyback on our already 'dirty' power and, well...
I also wonder how many backup generators are getting enough hours that they're ready for an overhaul. And, because of the economy, how many people will be like CUC and put off that maintenance.
“The mouse that roared?”
The clerk didn't get it. It's an old movie after all, and a tale of a country declaring war on the United States so it can get aid isn't very relevant here.
My chosen rodent has a microphone. “Free” earphones thrown in. No webcam yet, though I was tempted. I'm not ready to play dress-up on the net and, hmm, I'll have to see how federalized immigration would affect that other idea. You know, the sort of Call Center we're likely to get.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Who pays?
There's a proposal to have the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation waive the power reconnection fee for low income households. You could even get the tight-cheeked, reactionary, I've-got-mine-Jack misbegotten progeny of Ayn Rand to agree with that one.
Poor people don't have extra cash, pretty much by definition. That's sixty dollars taken away from food, or the next power bill. Heart illnesses and invalids too. Who could be that cold?
Who's going to pay?
We can quibble about the amount, but it takes a trip to disconnect, a trip to reconnect and the paperwork has to be duly shuffled in the office. How much does PTI charge just to flip a virtual switch in their office?
Let CUC pay for it? CUC doesn't have jack, Jack. They collect money, from you or from governments. Somebody, somewhere is going to subsidize these exemptions.
There's history here. For as long as I can remember, the Legislature has been adding new retirement benefits (with the Board always asking who's going to pay) or government benefits without funding. It's most common every two years at election time. (Public Law 8-31, one of the worst, has never been fully funded.) That's hard to do these days, but old habits die hard and now it's CUC.
I really don't want to single out the bill's author. He means well. I even think it's a good idea—don't want to be one of those nasty people I described, after all.
Except... the habit's got to be broken. If it costs money, the revenue source should be identified, in the bill and in the committee report.
Don't make 'somebody' figure it out. The Legislature is filled with somebodies.
Poor people don't have extra cash, pretty much by definition. That's sixty dollars taken away from food, or the next power bill. Heart illnesses and invalids too. Who could be that cold?
Who's going to pay?
We can quibble about the amount, but it takes a trip to disconnect, a trip to reconnect and the paperwork has to be duly shuffled in the office. How much does PTI charge just to flip a virtual switch in their office?
Let CUC pay for it? CUC doesn't have jack, Jack. They collect money, from you or from governments. Somebody, somewhere is going to subsidize these exemptions.
There's history here. For as long as I can remember, the Legislature has been adding new retirement benefits (with the Board always asking who's going to pay) or government benefits without funding. It's most common every two years at election time. (Public Law 8-31, one of the worst, has never been fully funded.) That's hard to do these days, but old habits die hard and now it's CUC.
I really don't want to single out the bill's author. He means well. I even think it's a good idea—don't want to be one of those nasty people I described, after all.
Except... the habit's got to be broken. If it costs money, the revenue source should be identified, in the bill and in the committee report.
Don't make 'somebody' figure it out. The Legislature is filled with somebodies.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
A kilowatt in every pot
Over the years I've written dozens of letters to the Editor and promptly tore them up. I just don't want to get into an Opinion-page war.
Then I saw Power for the future CNMI (Saipan Tribune) and broke my rule. The letter went something like this:
A kilowatt in every pot (Hoot, Hoot: The Saipan Tribune decided that the headline Privatizing CUC is not such a good idea was better. I still like mine. What do you think?)
I normally find letters to the Editor interesting and provocative. Often I agree with them, but not in the case of privatizing CUC.
I don't think anyone would disagree that "There is already in existence tidal power, wind power, water turbines, wave power and a host of other fuels that can be used to run the motors for the generators." How are we going to pay for these new sources? I don't think the central government has any loose change in its pockets.
Try putting solar panels or a windmill on your roof and you'll get an idea of how expensive these technologies are to install. Sure, they'll save money in the long run, but where's the money coming from now?
Maybe CUC could float a bond. With its finances, the bond rating would be low and the payments enormous. Well, I guess they could just raise rates again so those nasty underwriters could get a return on their investment. That's the problem with businesses, they just don't like to give money away. Why can't everybody be like the U.S. DOE?
Yep, a private company would want to make a return on its investment. It would also want to make money on any capital improvements. The world is just so unfair.
Unfortunately, the energy party is over, and you and I are going to have to pay to catch up. Fortunately, the LIHEAP program is available for low-income households. I don't want you to think I'm against all socialist ideas.
Monopolies always have to be watched; that's why a Public Utilities Commission is needed to monitor rates. I'm just concerned that the PUC would have the same anti-business attitude prevalent throughout the Commonwealth, which a recent letter writer represents so ably. (Well, I'd like to know what the privatization proposal actually says, too.) Any company would have to think twice about risking its money where it's a sin to make a profit.
Then again, maybe Hugo Chavez will give us the money, or send fuel. He likes to tweak Uncle Sam's nose. Heck, he might even help us buy back the telephone system. I miss the days of aboveground wires and four-digit phone numbers.
I could go on, but this is already too long. I'd be happy to chat about it if anyone wants to drop by sosaipan.blogspot.com
PS That's blatant self-promotion, in case you SEO buffs are watching. Let's see if they leave it in
PPS Holani Smith call home. I didn't get a phone call or email to confirm the letter. Sure it was sent from sosaipan@yahoo.com, but it took me less than five minutes to set up that account.
Then I saw Power for the future CNMI (Saipan Tribune) and broke my rule. The letter went something like this:
A kilowatt in every pot (Hoot, Hoot: The Saipan Tribune decided that the headline Privatizing CUC is not such a good idea was better. I still like mine. What do you think?)
I normally find letters to the Editor interesting and provocative. Often I agree with them, but not in the case of privatizing CUC.
I don't think anyone would disagree that "There is already in existence tidal power, wind power, water turbines, wave power and a host of other fuels that can be used to run the motors for the generators." How are we going to pay for these new sources? I don't think the central government has any loose change in its pockets.
Try putting solar panels or a windmill on your roof and you'll get an idea of how expensive these technologies are to install. Sure, they'll save money in the long run, but where's the money coming from now?
Maybe CUC could float a bond. With its finances, the bond rating would be low and the payments enormous. Well, I guess they could just raise rates again so those nasty underwriters could get a return on their investment. That's the problem with businesses, they just don't like to give money away. Why can't everybody be like the U.S. DOE?
Yep, a private company would want to make a return on its investment. It would also want to make money on any capital improvements. The world is just so unfair.
Unfortunately, the energy party is over, and you and I are going to have to pay to catch up. Fortunately, the LIHEAP program is available for low-income households. I don't want you to think I'm against all socialist ideas.
Monopolies always have to be watched; that's why a Public Utilities Commission is needed to monitor rates. I'm just concerned that the PUC would have the same anti-business attitude prevalent throughout the Commonwealth, which a recent letter writer represents so ably. (Well, I'd like to know what the privatization proposal actually says, too.) Any company would have to think twice about risking its money where it's a sin to make a profit.
Then again, maybe Hugo Chavez will give us the money, or send fuel. He likes to tweak Uncle Sam's nose. Heck, he might even help us buy back the telephone system. I miss the days of aboveground wires and four-digit phone numbers.
I could go on, but this is already too long. I'd be happy to chat about it if anyone wants to drop by sosaipan.blogspot.com
PS That's blatant self-promotion, in case you SEO buffs are watching. Let's see if they leave it in
PPS Holani Smith call home. I didn't get a phone call or email to confirm the letter. Sure it was sent from sosaipan@yahoo.com, but it took me less than five minutes to set up that account.
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