[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6550531,"mediaKeyId","5387736-c5e01b90adb403168a12f93969d2c541","parentId",5387736,"title","DPW says EPA review of solid-waste master plan will unlock major grants; department details tire, e-waste costs and a pyrolysis MOU","audioSeconds",5987,"startMs",1309000,"endMs",7296000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5387736-c5e01b90adb403168a12f93969d2c541&start=1309&end=7296","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5387736-c5e01b90adb403168a12f93969d2c541/thumbnail_1309000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550531/DPW-says-EPA-review-of-solid-waste-master-plan-will-unlock-major-grants-department-details-tire-e-waste-costs-and-a-pyrolysis-MOU","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550531-a558be7ba949041cbf756b07167e6e24/orig.mp4?Expires=1776161926&Signature=jGY9OagbFH9w6ja9WiFFW~yTCF0qStnrITyfjF906gRkg9aDtEnPEhT7x4eo5eRwBMovq8Rrzoy3UUrt2gkyyIvFTQ440V3vuPN10RG4pSshxw0wunkGGCipvFVP-XJ9y3c54nkXRiUuOynB7AKbibmaqrxhlnDr5vmWCdPwuQrfdeV060fslLePEeHF0QM4E0cK-vOtxdl3pqaBGsPLOaGgKN4b3FFCHQcuIr7GVL~kKm2P7yGiB5vHP0oLyDQqTvWn9dF7C6YVzVovZ9fPHIKx7u3TDhLus4GL92TfDoqlNfQWTVmtu-VYllZ~SsFmCbevzlyUAxD1ptG0WoPQWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House - Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature","date","2025-07-14T22:12:13Z","article","Department of Public Works officials described the department's solid-waste operations, recycling efforts and grant prospects during the budget hearing, saying an EPA review of an integrated solid-waste master plan is a gating step for major federal funding.

\"We have completed the comprehensive integrated solid waste master plan, which we've submitted formally to US EPA for their review, and they are actively reviewing it. We expect their approval within a matter of months,\" Secretary Ray Yumo said. He said that once the plan is adopted in the federal register DPW would be able to draw down large federal funds to upgrade landfills on Rota and Tinian and procure equipment for Saipan.

Why it matters: DPW said the master plan and the pending grant approvals would fund landfill upgrades, recycling processing and equipment that DPW lacks; the department told lawmakers that current operating contracts and shipment costs are straining the solid-waste revolving account.

Financial pressures and operations described by DPW:
- DPW said a comprehensive plan approval would enable drawdown of a sizeable federal grant allocation for landfill upgrades and equipment; DPW said island allocations for Rota and Tinian are in the multi-million-dollar range.
- DPW described the solid-waste account as under pressure from contract obligations. The department described shipping costs for recyclables and e-waste: an e-waste shipment earlier in 2025 cost about $192,000, and DPW cited a recent tires shipment cost of roughly $188,000 for a single consignment to Korea.
- DPW reported it had a multi-shredder operating at Marpi to process debris and intended to use the equipment to shred tires to increase shipping density and to explore local reuse options.

On recycling authority: Yumo told the committee Senate Bill 24-8, identified in testimony as the \"Cinematic Recycling Act,\" would transfer recycling authority from DEQ to DPW; DPW said that transfer would enable more aggressive diversion and recycling programs.

MOU for pyrolysis/biofuel processing: DPW said it executed a memorandum of understanding with a company (identified in testimony as OutTech) to test a pyrolysis process to convert usable waste such as tires and plastics into biofuel. \"This MOU basically will give, OutTech, the opportunity to take our usable waste and convert it to biofuel,\" Yumo said.

Committee concerns focused on the tipping-fee account, the negative balance risk from ongoing contract encumbrances, and the logistics and cost of shipping bulky materials such as tires and e-waste off island.

DPW told the committee it is also pursuing performance-based contract language for landfill operations to lower monthly contractor payments and avoid large fixed monthly charges.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","250715 24th NMCL HoR W&M [9:30am]","oneSentenceSummary","DPW told the House committee the solid-waste master plan submitted to U.S. EPA is the key to unlocking federal grants for landfill upgrades, recycling and equipment and described high current costs for shipping tires and e-waste.","taxTitle","House, Northern Mariana Legislative Sessions, Northern Mariana Islands","taxId",20281,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6550536,"DPW outlines revolving accounts, says road-maintenance fund is paying $1.3M of monthly streetlight bills",3820,2216000,6036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5387736-c5e01b90adb403168a12f93969d2c541&start=2216&end=6036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5387736-c5e01b90adb403168a12f93969d2c541/thumbnail_2216000.jpg","/articles/6550536/DPW-outlines-revolving-accounts-says-road-maintenance-fund-is-paying-13M-of-monthly-streetlight-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550536-9aad4f11dc46f05bc157cde3eddf1352/orig.mp4?Expires=1776161926&Signature=TPvUFNA~~NiXBBHfnFFpDNtRQ7EE-0mMscQpfOfyMz8slDd3R1odo5uENjSOey438pt80V8n37FF-BCpZtS1Lg2RV8PUqwiSezIVr2THY2SiAINPRbaJ2N3br2zw5SzYyWQhg0mUaefmUNNkRV7VfIelb5kyc6CtErv0Q1VJRaONPxZOpdjsuMvCS4OyLSOSldoqY1b8j9nzY0GnZwlhilTuFXyAeW3LNf2uRC52LpSJTiwURoEfqfKpjLciRN5-Ftf5M~48~JLlVVNcEoLgPIabSi40UeslHeRLLX9fRiK8~PTNgiGIHtZ6rkVwWo3V8GYpOx7u707UzMf59epn3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department of Public Works officials detailed the department's revolving-account balances and described how the road maintenance account is being tapped for utilities, including streetlights billed by the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC).

\"Road maintenance ... we're looking at about 2.5\" million, and \"I've reserved all of that for the CUC street lights billing,\" Secretary Ray Yumo told lawmakers, adding DPW expects to pay about $1.3 million for streetlights because the annual budget did not include those utility costs. DPW said it would prefer to reserve road-maintenance funds for striping, pothole repairs and routine road upkeep, but has used the account to cover utilities and emergency needs.

Why it matters: the department is using a fund intended for road maintenance to pay recurring utility bills, reducing cash available for road upkeep at a time local members said road maintenance is inadequate.

Balances and revolving accounts DPW cited:
- Building safety code fees: about $229,000 (DPW cited this as the building-code revolving balance).
- Solid-waste tipping-fee account: cited by DPW at about $656,000 but DPW officials said the account may be negative after contract encumbrances.
- Road maintenance account: DPW cited about $2.5 million and said it had reserved roughly $1.3 million for monthly CUC streetlight obligations; DPW said those obligations are being paid from the road maintenance account because the annual budget does not include utility appropriation for streetlights.

Streetlights and outages: DPW presented maps showing nonoperable lights. Yumo said a public reporting approach was under way and that a map prepared in August 2024 showed roughly 218 nonoperable streetlights; he asked residents to photograph and report nonworking fixtures to CUC and DPW so CUC could log a trouble ticket.

Right of way fees and signage: Noel Odeen, acting head of the right-of-way office, told the committee the new right-of-way fees include a baseline charge for up to four signs at $100 per year; the office has collected initial small amounts (for example, roughly $3,500 from Liberation Parade lots) and said it will refine fee language to address sidewalks and drainage modifications in future rule updates.

Committee direction: members suggested statutory or budget language to clarify the intended use of revolving accounts and to require agencies to seek reimbursements from federal sources where eligible.","Department of Public Works officials told the House committee that the road maintenance revolving account and other restricted accounts underpin operations; DPW said it is using that fund to cover streetlight utility bills and reported account balances for building code and tipping fees.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6550540,"DPW officials say key engineer and building-safety posts remain vacant; salary and hiring limits flagged",151,1535000,1686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5387736-c5e01b90adb403168a12f93969d2c541&start=1535&end=1686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5387736-c5e01b90adb403168a12f93969d2c541/thumbnail_1535000.jpg","/articles/6550540/DPW-officials-say-key-engineer-and-building-safety-posts-remain-vacant-salary-and-hiring-limits-flagged","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550540-0d465adf38f98d211f51ff2e15fdefac/orig.mp4?Expires=1776161926&Signature=NqMSuWFN2SFk4mvN7zxKXm9okkUhM1z6K8Wm1W9drgTY3jd2YtpgsMm5jx2cvD93e-FXwd0-J6LaS~X624Tk2P88-ovVnqIg93D9nin2yBjcavFe0MZRsqPWo4oubY7oy0uYiJlsvIh2SzBdp3k3Z--Vukyagh40c~G0GEKoNZmk6yyZ4xKTBMcbwdv3mlJ2vBYEMXaTitTQEhStXY4R3WoZs8Hcxlg2~06vmUxhlPiDq~BaZsUPJ-ebQaVpsVBBzkwuOQG8uu277JXQ9K6LC0gUVVTijOBbx0tpSCxG5KHgD4VbzNH~xwGjhU6me2IZr0Jq5SvKtafJeqRSiHSmeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers pressed the Department of Public Works on multiple vacancies and recruitment barriers during a budget hearing, and DPW officials cited salary limits set by the Office of Personnel Management and the difficulty of attracting specialized applicants.

\"We're not gonna attract the type of applicants we need with the current funding limits based on OPM,\" Secretary Ray Yumo said, describing efforts to use grants to supplement salaries. Peter Camacho, DPW director of administrative services, told the committee several positions have completed selection steps but are pending final signatures and issuance of personnel actions.

Why it matters: vacancies in technical roles affect DPW's ability to deliver projects and to perform inspections and code enforcement. Committee members pressed on timelines and asked whether federal grant funds could be used to raise pay for hard-to-fill roles.

What DPW told the committee:
- The building safety official position and other professional posts have been repeatedly advertised but the Office of Personnel Management reported no qualified applicants; DPW said it is continuing a continuous announcement.
- Yumo said DPW is pursuing grant support under a building-code adoption and technical assistance program to supplement salary offers. He said, by his account in testimony, the grant could help raise one position's pay \"beyond the ... $65\" range referenced in the hearing and that another position was discussed at about $50,000.
- The department also described converting Workforce Investment Agency (WIA) trainees to permanent hires as a stopgap and said it is running equipment-operator certification training to build in-house capacity.

Lawmakers asked whether statutes or regulations prevent DPW from using federal grant funds to co-fund salaries; the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) representative told the committee lapses and program funds can be used in many cases, and that if an employee supports a federal program the federal grant should cover a portion of the salary.

Committee direction: members urged DPW to keep recruiting, provide documented vacancy timelines, and to work with OMB and OPM to identify where grant co-funding or reclassification can fill critical technical posts.","Department of Public Works officials told lawmakers that specialized roles such as a building-safety official and civil engineers remain open because of low salary levels; DPW said it is pursuing grant support and WIA hires while OPM reports few qualified applicants.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6550546,"DPW tells House panel it needs funding to finish Route 36, other highway and energy projects",508,918000,1426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5387736-c5e01b90adb403168a12f93969d2c541&start=918&end=1426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5387736-c5e01b90adb403168a12f93969d2c541/thumbnail_918000.jpg","/articles/6550546/DPW-tells-House-panel-it-needs-funding-to-finish-Route-36-other-highway-and-energy-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550546-2aeeb5d55048e11b39fe63e50bcc0d02/orig.mp4?Expires=1776161926&Signature=X9yn3ZdEUDtIocnBnuY-6ogZbnxwH2aEos~x0D7LLbZhIOdT33LpVwEMvxQc1ua0smyRQsaeIkwxQ0bwRGmjf7vI1iIO0H0QxdLlO9pjQ9EHpN2CUQAG7H33LQ0fH4ezks-pVKhQrStEbNxobGM3esmQgvljBf57UjGnXobaJnDJt~24yJRXxly92rJ5~cL-OG2Bke4l87Kgysr3l9-Sh8V5LlR30Nvl8oTCYxyDKch1q20BDX5OxI8XTIjWKerfl7LfBUJ3NaqTfKs8I5OdOGUSiAWk-zaB4nxQFeGKkVz6R4T61PZuZy-LwFFjmOuz6K4rXWAtAH3j~swAJ5kAXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ray Yumo, secretary of the Department of Public Works, told the House Committee on Ways and Means during a budget hearing that the department is focused on finishing major road projects and expanding renewable-energy and resilience work.

The secretary opened with an overview of DPW's structure and recent work and listed highway projects the department says it advanced under the current administration. \"Route 36 Phase 1 ... the windward, Calabetta Road Improvement Project\" is now complete through the phase Yumo described; Phase 2 extends the road from Hidden Beach to San Juan, and DPW said it is working on the final phase to pave up to Bird Island. Yumo said Route 36 benefitted from a congressional earmark of about $15.2 million.

Why it matters: the projects cited are central to island mobility and access; some are federally funded and carry requirements or opportunities for reimbursements and future federal support. Yumo emphasized the department's emphasis on multimodal transportation and environmental resilience as context for the budget request.

Key projects and figures presented to the committee:
- Route 36 Phase 1 and extensions; Yumo said a congressional earmark of about $15,200,000 supported the work.
- Route 315 (Quartermaster) traffic signal installation completed in 2023; Yumo said the project cost about $2.2 million.
- Route 205 on Tinian: engineering design completed at about $260,000 and the project was bid and awaiting a notice to proceed.
- Multiple local paving, sidewalk and drainage projects whose combined 2023'024 local costs DPW reported as about $3.6 million (examples cited: Gogu Street asphalt paving, Drive Road Improvement Phase 2, sidewalk construction along Route 30 in Tanopec).
- DPW said it completed the CNMI Energy Security Plan with partners and is implementing solar lighting retrofits and weatherization initiatives; Yumo cited roughly $2.5 million associated with state energy program activities under the bipartisan infrastructure law.

Committee questions focused on project status, contractor performance and federal coordination. Yumo described a contractor dispute on Route 10 hazard-elimination work and said DPW was negotiating a settlement and preparing to reprocure remaining work. On the ongoing Beach Road project he said phases 2\u00043 were at different stages and that some design timing and coordination with the public-transit authority (COTA/CODA) had not been synchronized during earlier project development.

The hearing record shows the committee adopted the day's agenda before the DPW presentation (voice vote; \"the ayes have it\").

What happens next: DPW said staff will follow up with the committee on specific reimbursements, outstanding contractor issues and documentation for federal-aid projects.","Ray Yumo, secretary of the CNMI Department of Public Works, outlined completed and planned transportation and energy projects — including Route 36 phases, Route 315 traffic signal work and a federal earmark — while presenting the agency's budget to the House Committee on Ways and Means.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DPW says EPA review of solid-waste master plan will unlock major grants; department details tire, e-waste costs and a pyrolysis MOU

DPW outlines revolving accounts, says road-maintenance fund is paying $1.3M of monthly streetlight bills

DPW officials say key engineer and building-safety posts remain vacant; salary and hiring limits flagged

DPW tells House panel it needs funding to finish Route 36, other highway and energy projects