16 Aug 2011

CNMI Senate urges Guam Legislature to reject bill taxing fuel transshipments

2:26 pm on 16 August 2011

The Senate of the Northern Marianas has adopted a resolution urging the Guam Legislature to reject a bill that eliminates the fuel tax exemption on liquid fuel transshipped through Guam.

The upper chamber in the CNMI is arguing that Guam's bill would further increase the cost of fuel not only in the CNMI but also in Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.

The Senate resolution, authored by Pete Reyes, says there can be no meaningful discussion of reunification between Guam and the Northern Marianas if the Guam bill is enacted into law without regard to the livelihood of the CNMI people.

Guam serves as a major transshipment center for the Micronesian region, including the redistribution of fuel.