by Mindy Aguon, KUAM NewsTuesday, May 13, 2008 Subscribe to Mindy's newsfeed
The island's streets are getting darker by the day. Guam Power Authority crews continue disconnections today in the villages of Agat, Yigo and Tamuning. On Monday GPA began taking down single poles with multiple streetlights in the villages of Agana Heights, Dededo, and Umatac. GPA Spokesperson Art Perez confirms the disconnections will continue as the Government of Guam has failed to make good on paying its bills just like every other ratepayer on the island. Arrears accumulated between 1997 and 2002 total more than $13.4 million. With no resolution between the governor or lawmakers to pay a portion of the debt, it's likely aside from the black out in island villages, ratepayers will also see a 6% increase in their power bills beginning June 1. As crews continue dismantling the streetlights in the island's villages, with the exception of those that illuminate safety areas such as bus stops, blind curves or intersections, streetlights could be disconnected islandwide come July. Department of Public Works director Larry Perez tells KUAM the money appropriated to pay for island streetlights will run out in early July. Without any additional appropriations, GPA officials say there is a possibility they will have to disconnect all island streetlights, including those that are being left up for safety reasons.