Commonwealth Utilities Corporation

Two days after CUC defended its request for a $40 million line of credit, the House unanimously approved the emergency financing measure for utility restoration.

Facing mounting recovery costs and the loss of anticipated FEMA advance funding, Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Executive Director Kevin Watson is calling on residents to lobby House lawmakers to approve a $40 million line of credit he describes as essential to keeping restoration work moving forward.

With the “All Clear” declared but advisories still in effect, utility crews across the CNMI are confronting fragile systems and storm‑related setbacks as they work to bring electricity and water back online for Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

Saipan has surpassed the halfway point in energizing its primary power lines, but restoration is slowing as the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation confronts material shortages and widespread copper theft. CUC crews are now salvaging storm‑damaged conductors and transformers to stretch remaining supplies while waiting for new shipments.

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation is moving ahead with a sweeping solar generation project across Saipan, Tinian and Rota, according to CUC Executive Director Kevin Watson.

Despite a price freeze, CUC raised its Fuel Adjustment Charge this month — a move Chief Financial Officer Betty Terlaje says is legal and necessary as fuel costs outpace rates. The increase caused immediate public confusion and criticism, with some residents questioning how the adjustment was allowed under the governor’s executive order.

The Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission’s decision to nearly double the Fuel Adjustment Charge has sparked immediate public outrage, with many residents calling the timing insensitive as the community continues to recover from Super Typhoon Sinlaku’s widespread damage and prolonged power and water disruptions.

CUC files $75 million reimbursement request with FEMA; Watson says utility is fronting recovery costs without timeline for federal payment

Saipan water restoration is now at roughly 80%, Commonwealth Utilities Corp. utility coordinator Joel Hoepner said, crediting FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for keeping critical wells online as crews work to stabilize the islandwide system.

Extensive water damage at Saipan’s main power plants has left CUC uncertain about when it can restart critical engines, raising new questions about the island’s 90‑day restoration goal.