Guam Waterworks Authority crews have brought 87 water wells, which accounts for 73%, online, according to General Manager Miguel Bordallo. The update was released 6 p.m. June 6. Of that 87, 41 are on island power, and 46 operating on generators.
He said GWA teams that are focusing on pump and motor replacements have brought two out of 10 wells back online, and will continue their work throughout the week at additional well sites. FEMA personnel helped GWA install two additional generators to power two more wells.
Total production from wells is estimated at about 30 MGD, bringing more water into our Northern and Central systems. Our engineering and operations teams are working with our contractors to construct a temporary booster pump system to get water to the Sinifa area in Santa Rita.
The Navy has granted GWA’s request for a temporary connection and additional water from their Fena water treatment plant which Bordallo said they’re working to send up to higher areas of Santa Rita “as quickly as we can.”
Bordallo also wanted to clarify confusion caused by social media posts regarding GWA conservation efforts during the current state of emergency. Gov. Lou A. Leon Guerrero recently signed an executive order making it a misdemeanor to use public water to wash cars, waterblast homes and or sidewalks, among other actions.
“GWA will respond to complaints of such non-essential usage as they are reported to us, but I ask that the public and businesses be mindful of the need to conserve water until all our Island’s people have their service restored,” Bordallo said.
“We ask that you use only what you need and not all that you can get from GWA’s system for the benefit of those still waiting to receive water service.”
Visit guamwaterworks.org/mawarupdates for more.
Guam Power Authority crews are shifting into the second phase of recovery, focusing on restoring as many customers with minimal storm damage as possible per feeder. GPA had to first restore power to substations then follow those lines to the feeders or circuits.
Crews will assess severely damaged sectors and then return at a later time – Phase III of recovery efforts – to repair or replace damaged hardware.
As of June 5, 53.2% of the System Load, or customer demand had been restored.
As of June 6, 56% of the System Load, or customer demand has been restored.
GPA said 40.9% of customers have been restored. The authority said the system load percentage is higher because commercial and industrial loads are higher than residential loads.
About GPA: In 2021 – the latest figures available – the residential sector accounted for 38% of Guam's electricity use, the commercial sector accounted for 31%, the U.S. military for 20%, and Guam’s government for 11%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
In 2021, about 39% of the petroleum sales in Guam were motor gasoline, 38% were diesel fuel, 20% were jet fuel, and propane accounted for most of the rest.
Guam’s electricity prices, including surcharges to cover petroleum costs, are almost two times higher than the U.S. average residential electricity rate, although Guam’s power prices are typically the lowest among the nearby Pacific islands.
The Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation will have limited services. The Vehicle Registration Branch will be closed through June 9. Temporary Vehicle Permits will be issued by the Collections Branch at DRT’s main office in Barrigada through June 9.
Accessible Parking Placards will be issued by the Collections Branch at DRT’s main office in Barrigada through June 9.
As of June 6, the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna will serve as a third Registration Intake Center for individuals applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. FEMA representatives will be at the Congress Building from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The other locations are the Guam Community College in Mangilao and the Northern Sports Complex in Dededo.
Mobil Oil Guam’s air pumps are available at Mobil Agat, Mobil Airport, Mobil Apra Heights, Mobil East Agana, Mobil Fatima, Mobil Maite, Mobil Mangilao, Mobil Sinajana,
Mobil Yigo North, Mobil Yona and Mobil Ysengsong.
Hours of operation will continue from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
And also:
Renewable power company Alternergy Holdings Corp. and its subsidiary Solar Pacific Energy Corp. opened Palau’s first solar PV + battery energy storage system project, the largest to date in the Western Pacific region. President Surangel S. Whipp, Jr., Australian Ambassador to Palau Richelle Turner, representatives from the Olbiil Era Kelulau and project partners, the Palau Public Utilities Corp. and Solar Pacific Pristine Power attended the opening in Ngatpang on June 2.
The solar plant will generate about 20% of Palau’s power needs, delivering up to 23,000 megawatt hours per year to the grid network, and reducing reliance on diesel generation. Australia provided AU$31 million (US$21.4 million) for the construction of the solar project, according to Journal files.
The House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) will announce June 7 the formation of a bipartisan task force to combat the People's Republic of China's rising influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
U.S. Reps. Gregorio “Kilili” Camacho Sablan (D-Northern Mariana Islands) and Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa) will co-chair the task force. James C. Moylan, Guam’s delegate to Congress will be one of the 13 members of the task force.
An International Air Transport Association /Motif survey of 4,700 travelers across 11 markets gauged air passenger satisfaction in the case of delays and cancellations. The survey found:
For your diary:
The Guam Chamber of Commerce, the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association, the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce and the Society for Human Resources Guam Chapter will host a free Disaster Recovery virtual workshop with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Small Business Development Center on June 8 from 10 to 11.30 a.m. Contact any of the organizations for the Zoom link.
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce will host its 2nd Quarter Professional Development Training, taking place on June 28, on customer service with Island Training Solutions. The morning session will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, and the afternoon session from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Both sessions will be at the Marianas Business Plaza, 6th floor, Suite 604. Costs are $50 per chamber member, $60 per future chamber member. Register more than three and receive $5 off per registrant. Register at www.saipanchamber.com. mbj
He said GWA teams that are focusing on pump and motor replacements have brought two out of 10 wells back online, and will continue their work throughout the week at additional well sites. FEMA personnel helped GWA install two additional generators to power two more wells.
Total production from wells is estimated at about 30 MGD, bringing more water into our Northern and Central systems. Our engineering and operations teams are working with our contractors to construct a temporary booster pump system to get water to the Sinifa area in Santa Rita.
The Navy has granted GWA’s request for a temporary connection and additional water from their Fena water treatment plant which Bordallo said they’re working to send up to higher areas of Santa Rita “as quickly as we can.”
Bordallo also wanted to clarify confusion caused by social media posts regarding GWA conservation efforts during the current state of emergency. Gov. Lou A. Leon Guerrero recently signed an executive order making it a misdemeanor to use public water to wash cars, waterblast homes and or sidewalks, among other actions.
“GWA will respond to complaints of such non-essential usage as they are reported to us, but I ask that the public and businesses be mindful of the need to conserve water until all our Island’s people have their service restored,” Bordallo said.
“We ask that you use only what you need and not all that you can get from GWA’s system for the benefit of those still waiting to receive water service.”
Visit guamwaterworks.org/mawarupdates for more.
Guam Power Authority crews are shifting into the second phase of recovery, focusing on restoring as many customers with minimal storm damage as possible per feeder. GPA had to first restore power to substations then follow those lines to the feeders or circuits.
Crews will assess severely damaged sectors and then return at a later time – Phase III of recovery efforts – to repair or replace damaged hardware.
As of June 5, 53.2% of the System Load, or customer demand had been restored.
As of June 6, 56% of the System Load, or customer demand has been restored.
GPA said 40.9% of customers have been restored. The authority said the system load percentage is higher because commercial and industrial loads are higher than residential loads.
About GPA: In 2021 – the latest figures available – the residential sector accounted for 38% of Guam's electricity use, the commercial sector accounted for 31%, the U.S. military for 20%, and Guam’s government for 11%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
In 2021, about 39% of the petroleum sales in Guam were motor gasoline, 38% were diesel fuel, 20% were jet fuel, and propane accounted for most of the rest.
Guam’s electricity prices, including surcharges to cover petroleum costs, are almost two times higher than the U.S. average residential electricity rate, although Guam’s power prices are typically the lowest among the nearby Pacific islands.
The Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation will have limited services. The Vehicle Registration Branch will be closed through June 9. Temporary Vehicle Permits will be issued by the Collections Branch at DRT’s main office in Barrigada through June 9.
Accessible Parking Placards will be issued by the Collections Branch at DRT’s main office in Barrigada through June 9.
Registrations can be renewed online at https://www.myguamtax.com. Insurance and safety inspection information must be uploaded by your insurance carrier and safety inspection agency, respectively. Vehicle Registrations expired in May and June: Late fees will be waived for ehicle registrations that expired during the period of May 15 to June 30 if renewal is done by July 3.
As of June 6, the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna will serve as a third Registration Intake Center for individuals applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. FEMA representatives will be at the Congress Building from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The other locations are the Guam Community College in Mangilao and the Northern Sports Complex in Dededo.
Mobil Oil Guam’s air pumps are available at Mobil Agat, Mobil Airport, Mobil Apra Heights, Mobil East Agana, Mobil Fatima, Mobil Maite, Mobil Mangilao, Mobil Sinajana,
Mobil Yigo North, Mobil Yona and Mobil Ysengsong.
Hours of operation will continue from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
And also:
Renewable power company Alternergy Holdings Corp. and its subsidiary Solar Pacific Energy Corp. opened Palau’s first solar PV + battery energy storage system project, the largest to date in the Western Pacific region. President Surangel S. Whipp, Jr., Australian Ambassador to Palau Richelle Turner, representatives from the Olbiil Era Kelulau and project partners, the Palau Public Utilities Corp. and Solar Pacific Pristine Power attended the opening in Ngatpang on June 2.
The solar plant will generate about 20% of Palau’s power needs, delivering up to 23,000 megawatt hours per year to the grid network, and reducing reliance on diesel generation. Australia provided AU$31 million (US$21.4 million) for the construction of the solar project, according to Journal files.
The House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) will announce June 7 the formation of a bipartisan task force to combat the People's Republic of China's rising influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
U.S. Reps. Gregorio “Kilili” Camacho Sablan (D-Northern Mariana Islands) and Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa) will co-chair the task force. James C. Moylan, Guam’s delegate to Congress will be one of the 13 members of the task force.
An International Air Transport Association /Motif survey of 4,700 travelers across 11 markets gauged air passenger satisfaction in the case of delays and cancellations. The survey found:
- 96% of travelers surveyed reported they were ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ satisfied with their overall flight experience
- 73% were confident they would be treated fairly in the event of operational disruptions
- 72% said that in general airlines do a good job of handling delays and cancellations
- 91% agreed with the statement ‘All parties involved in the delay or cancellation (airlines, airports, air traffic control) should play a role in helping the affected passengers’
For your diary:
The Guam Chamber of Commerce, the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association, the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce and the Society for Human Resources Guam Chapter will host a free Disaster Recovery virtual workshop with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Small Business Development Center on June 8 from 10 to 11.30 a.m. Contact any of the organizations for the Zoom link.
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce will host its 2nd Quarter Professional Development Training, taking place on June 28, on customer service with Island Training Solutions. The morning session will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, and the afternoon session from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Both sessions will be at the Marianas Business Plaza, 6th floor, Suite 604. Costs are $50 per chamber member, $60 per future chamber member. Register more than three and receive $5 off per registrant. Register at www.saipanchamber.com. mbj