Governor Lou Leon Guerrero is once again urging lawmakers to take action, calling a fifth special session to deliberate the fate of Bill 2 (1-S) – a measure that would let the Guam Power Authority and Guam Waterworks Authority move forward on utility upgrades in Mangilao and Barrigada using $104 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds.

You may recall the measure has already undergone a public hearing and the governor called a special session back in September with the same goal. However, that session was quickly adjourned without any action.

In a letter to Speaker Frank Blas, Jr., the governor renewed her push, saying, “The urgency of this measure cannot be overstated. The Guam Power Authority and the Guam Waterworks Authority have initiated procurement efforts to install critical power, water, and wastewater infrastructure in Mangilao.”

She warns that timely execution of these projects is important as they will require approval from the procurement counsel under the General Services Agency— a step she says is necessary as Attorney General Douglas Moylan has refused to review the contracts.

The governor also warns that legislative delays are making the risk even greater. 

The ARPA fund expire in December 2026 and Guam can’t afford to put federal funds on the line at the same time lawmakers are weighing a $300 million borrowing plan for GPA grid upgrades.

Leon Guerrero states “we cannot in good conscience allow fully-funded federal infrastructure dollars to lapse while turning to costly borrowing to fund similar priorities – debt our ratepayers will ultimately shoulder.”

The fifth special session is set for tomorrow at 10am.