Wapa

DeGazon Submits Measure to Establish Full-time PSC, Give Commission More Teeth

Senator Allison DeGazon has submitted legislation that would establish a full-time Public Services Commission. In a release issued earlier this week, the first-term Democrat said her frustration with the ongoing issues at WAPA coupled with the lack of adequate oversight power from the PSC, led to her submission of the measure. Ms. DeGazon said the current membership of the PSC "are essentially volunteering their time, effort and expertise in critical decisions on the territory’s utilities and infrastructure." She said the bill would give the commission more authority along with having paid, full-time commissioners. “It would be more cost effective having a full-time PSC. This would reduce payouts to consultants which is currently at $1 million or more annually,” Ms DeGazon said. Last month, PSC Executive Director Donald Cole complained that the work of the commission requires the review of hundreds of pages of technical, financial and legal information in advance of each meeting, an...