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Senate committee holds hearing on James Mendiola's nomination to Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission
Summary
A Senate standing committee heard testimony Dec. 18 on the nomination of James Ushio Miyahara Mendiola Jr. to the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission. Supporters cited his corporate finance and local government experience; no confirmation vote is recorded in the transcript.
A Senate standing committee met Dec. 18 at the Athenian Public Library to hold a public hearing on the nomination of James Ushio Miyahara Mendiola Jr. to the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission to represent the 2nd Senatorial District. The hearing opened with committee leadership identifying the scope of public comment and the procedures governing the session.
Jean Paul B. Reyes, special assistant for the administration, introduced Mendiola as the governor's nominee and summarized his background in economic and financial consulting and local public service. "I am pleased to introduce mister James Yoshu... who has been nominated by the governor and lieutenant governor to serve on the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission representing the 2nd Senatorial District," Reyes said during his introduction.
Mendiola took the oath and delivered prepared remarks about his experience and priorities. James Ushio Miyahara Mendiola Jr. said he worked in CNMI government from 2002 to 2009, earned an MBA from Texas A&M University, and spent more than a decade in corporate consulting at PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG. "I promise to bring the full weight of my experience and skills to my duties as a board member and to uphold the mandates set by our laws and regulations," Mendiola said, adding that he recognizes "the gravity of any actions that are taken by the CPUC in matters of rates and fees" and that such decisions can have "dramatic and direct impact on the daily lives of our people."
Officials representing the mayor's office and the Tinian Municipal Council spoke in support. Joseph E. Santos, who identified himself as representing the mayor and later as chairman for the Tinian Municipal Council, asked the committee to confirm Mendiola and highlighted his blend of international consulting experience and local government service. "This unique combination of international financial expertise and local government experience makes mister Mendiola well prepared to serve," Santos said.
Procedurally, the committee took a voice vote to adopt the meeting agenda before testimony began; the motion carried by voice vote and no dissenting names were recorded in the transcript. The transcript records the hearing and public endorsements but does not show a confirmation vote or a committee recommendation on the nomination. Next procedural steps for the nomination were not specified in the provided record.
Background: The Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission regulates rates, services and infrastructure for utilities in the commonwealth. The nominee’s experience is primarily in financial and regulatory consulting and prior CNMI municipal and legislative staff roles; he said he has limited direct utilities-sector experience but is prepared to learn from experts and colleagues.
The hearing record ends with testimony and public endorsements; the committee's subsequent scheduling or vote on confirmation is not included in the transcript.
