15 Sep 2014

EPA getting tough with CNMI utility

5:30 pm on 15 September 2014

The United States Environmental Protection Agency is asking the federal court to appoint a receiver and find the Northern Marianas Commonwealth Utilities Corporation in breach and in contempt.

The USEPA says the financially-troubled utility is ignoring court orders and deadlines, and the CNMI Government is failing to ensure it is properly funded.

The utility was issued an order five years ago to repair and replace infrastructure, manage tanks and pipelines, and prevent spills.

Those orders represented an agreement between the CNMI and the EPA on how the utility can comply with the requirements of the Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act.