2 May 2007

CNMI's CUC implements highest ever fuel rate this month

10:50 am on 2 May 2007

The Northern Marianas Commonwealth Utilities Corporation implemented its highest electricity fuel rate yesterday, at 22.2 US cents per kilowatt-hour.

Unless people conserve power, this may mean an additional 30 or 40 US dollars on the average household's power bill.

The CUC spokesperson Pamela Mathis told the Saipan Tribune that the May fuel rate is the highest since the utility agency adopted new power rates last July.

Ms Mathis attributed the high rate to increased prices from Mobil Oil, decreased fuel efficiency, and under-recovered fuel costs from previous rates.