by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - The Consolidated Commission on Utilities has authorized the Guam Waterworks Authority to write to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to begin discussions on the transfer of Fena to the utility agency. CCU chair Simon Sanchez says Congress authorized the transfer for an estimated $300 million, which could be offset by the amounts of compact impact reimbursements owed to Guam.

"Long before we get to that part of the puzzle, we need to establish the basis by which the transfer would occur and so the letter is to get Department of Defense and Secretary of Defense to designate somebody in Department of Defense that we can begin discussions with on the transfer of Fena so we can actually set up how it may occur."

Sanchez says combining the Navy's system with GWA will result in economic efficiencies and reduced costs for island residents. The CCU meanwhile during their meeting last night also discussed $23 million worth of upgrades for the Northern and Hagatna Wastewater Treatment Plants as well as spending $7 million to replace water meters.