Candidates pitch plans to lower utility costs

Build new generators, expand solar power, offer low-interest renewable-energy loans, and leverage federal funding to improve power and water systems.

Those were among the prescriptions offered by the three candidates for CNMI governor when they were asked how they would improve utility infrastructure and lower costs for residents.

Independent candidates Blas Jonathan “BJ” T. Attao and Lawrence F. Camacho and CNMI Republican Party candidate Ralph DLG Torres tackled utility costs during the third question of the Marianas Press 2026 gubernatorial debate last Aug. 18 at Pacific Islands Club Saipan’s Charley’s Cabaret.

Moderator Thomas Manglona II noted that residents have long raised concerns about utility costs before asking: “How will your administration improve utility infrastructure and lower soaring costs of power and water for residents?”

The utility question was the third of 11 posed to the gubernatorial candidates during the debate.

Torres, a former governor, pointed to his administration’s previous financial support for the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.

“I put $8 million from ARPA funds to buy a new generator for CUC. $8 million,” Torres said.

ARPA stands for American Rescue Plan Act in which the CNMI received about $481.8 million in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in 2021

Torres questioned what happened to the money and said a new generator would have helped reduce costs for residents.

He proposed installing new power plants on each island and pursuing alternative-energy projects. He also said his administration had provided CUC with millions of dollars to subsidize costs and help the utility comply with requirements under a federal stipulated order.

“Once we do a new power plant, then we can see the economy grow,” Torres said.

Camacho, a former Education commissioner, said the CNMI must reduce its dependence on fossil fuels by diversifying its sources of electricity.

“What we need to do is diversify the portfolio of energy production,” Camacho said.

Camacho proposed incentives to help utility customers install solar-energy systems. His goal would be for at least half of CNMI consumers to have some form of solar power within 10 years, giving households a backup source of electricity and helping lower their utility bills.

He also supported the solar project being pursued by CUC and the Commonwealth Ports Authority, but said his administration would examine the contract and determine whether the public-private partnership could be expanded.

Camacho proposed making Rota a model for renewable energy by using solar and other natural resources to reduce the island’s reliance on fossil fuel.

Attao, a longtime House representative, said he and running mate, House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, would support alternative energy as long as projects protect the CNMI’s water, land, and air.

“We do need to help CUC in regards to their engines,” Attao said.

Attao said he and Villagomez, along with their colleagues in the House, were working on legislation to finance at least one generator for CUC.

He supported CUC’s proposed solar projects but said conventional generators would still be needed as backup because the CNMI is vulnerable to typhoons.

Attao also proposed working with the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority to use Covenant Section 702 infrastructure funding for low-interest loans that would help residents buy solar panels or other renewable-energy systems.

He further called for changing the rules governing customers who generate renewable energy and supply excess electricity to CUC’s grid.

The candidates then got a minute each for rebuttal.

Camacho cited the Public School System’s rooftop solar program as an example of how renewable energy could save money and relieve pressure on CUC’s aging generators.

“We were buying the energy from them and not from CUC, so it was $0.16 versus $0.40 per kilowatt hour,” Camacho said.

He initially placed PSS’ annual savings at almost $2 million before correcting the figure to about $1 million.

Camacho said the solar project planned for CUC could reduce fuel charges. He also cited an example of a resident whose basic utility charge was $10 but whose total bill reached $199 after other charges.

“That is not fair for everybody,” Camacho said.

Attao used his rebuttal to propose exploring geothermal energy, saying the resource had been studied decades ago and could be available on Pagan and elsewhere in the Northern Islands.

He said geothermal development could potentially generate power and create a new source of revenue for the Commonwealth. Attao, however, did not provide details on how the power could be exported to other jurisdictions.

Torres used his rebuttal to call for leveraging the CNMI’s relationship with the federal government to secure investments for both power plants and water infrastructure.

“This is not a request. It would be a demand under my administration,” Torres said.

Torres also cited proposed legislation involving $15 million in capital improvement project funding and suggested leveraging future annual allocations to support substantially larger infrastructure investments over 10 or 20 years.