Pushing for Federal Action on High Fuel Costs

I know everyone is feeling the rise in gas prices we’ve seen over the last two weeks. With that in mind, I initiated discussions this week with the U.S. Department of Energy to address fuel costs in the CNMI and across Pacific territories. In a letter to Secretary Chris Wright, I laid out the growing burden on our community, where gasoline ranged from $6.37 per gallon on Saipan to as high as $8.50 on Tinian at the time I sent the letter. By the time you are reading this, it may be even higher. These prices are well above national averages and are not driven by global conditions alone. They reflect structural challenges tied to our small, import-dependent market and limited purchasing scale. These costs are already showing up in higher electricity bills, transportation expenses, and the overall cost of living. I also raised the need to explore practical solutions, including whether a federally coordinated approach could improve fuel procurement and supply stability. This is an ongoing conversation, but one that needs to happen. I will keep working with federal partners to bring down costs and provide relief for families and businesses in the CNMI.