Many residents in the Northern Marianas say they are shocked by the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation's recent decision to more than double electricity prices.
The Saipan Tribune quotes court marshall John K. Atalig as saying his family used to have four electric fans and an air-conditioner in use, but the new rates mean they are now using just two electric fans and no air-conditioner.
Mr Atalig says at the previous rate of 17.6 cents per kilowatt-hour, he was already paying an average of $180 to $190 a month.
He says he and his family used to go to the beach or some other places almost every weekend, but now they hardly go anywhere in order to cut expenses.
CUC blames the high cost of oil for the price increases
