Ratepayers and elected officials voiced opposition this week to the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.'s proposal to raise utility rates, as the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission (CUC) concluded public hearings on Saipan and Tinian and prepared for a final hearing on Rota.
The CUC is seeking approval for a three-year increase in electric, water and wastewater base rates, as well as a temporary Typhoon Restoration Surcharge to help recover costs associated with storm-related infrastructure repairs.
The public hearing process began Monday on Saipan and continued Tuesday.
On Saipan, residents, ratepayers and public officials expressed concerns about the financial burden the proposed increases would place on households and businesses already coping with high living costs.
Several speakers urged regulators to reject the proposal, arguing that customers should not be asked to pay more unless utility service and reliability improve.
The final public hearing was scheduled for Wednesday evening on Rota.
James Sirok, legal counsel for the CPUC, said a hearing administrator will prepare a report summarizing public comments and testimony from all hearings. The report will be published for an additional 10-day public comment period.
The petition is scheduled to be presented to CPUC commissioners on Nov. 18 for deliberation. Sirok said the commission is expected to issue its decision on Nov. 20.
CPUC is the independent regulatory agency responsible for reviewing and approving utility rate changes in the CNMI.
