OIA Press Releases (2020 to Present)

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Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Now Accepting Applications from U.S. Territories for Energy Projects
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Logo
3/27/2023
Proposals are now being accepted for the Energizing Insular Communities (EIC) grant program for fiscal year (FY) 2023. The anticipated total funding available to the territories is $15.5 million. Those eligible to apply are local government entities, independent authorities, and educational institutions located in the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2023.
President Biden Proposes $537 Million in the FY 2024 Budget for U.S. Territories and the Freely Associated States
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Seal
3/9/2023
The FY 2024 budget proposal for OIA includes $122 million in current appropriations and $414 million in permanent funding. It also reflects proposed increases from the FY 2023 enacted level of $4 million in Capital Improvement Projects grant funding to support critical infrastructure needs in the Territories, and $900,000 for the Coral Reef Initiative and Natural Resources grant program to address additional conservation needs for all Insular Areas.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Move to Reduce Financial Burden on U.S. Territories
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Logo
2/8/2023
February 8, 2023, Biden Harris Administration Announces Move to Reduce Burden on Territories IGIA 2023
Assistant Secretary Cantor Completes Pacific Tour of Hawaiʻi, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Logo
1/26/2023
Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor today wrapped up a trip to Hawai’i, Guam and Saipan. Her visit included valuable opportunities to highlight U.S. investments, the importance of partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, and the Biden-Harris administration’s recently launched first-ever National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities.
Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Welcomes 31 Public Servants from the Pacific and the U.S. Virgin Islands to the Executive Leadership Development Program
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Welcomes 31 Public Servants
12/5/2022
OIA is pleased to support and welcome 31 new public servants from the Pacific and the Caribbean for what will be a special journey of professional and personal development as part of the Executive Leadership Development Program. The 2023 Cohort is comprised of mid-level management public servants from American Samoa (4), the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (5), Guam (3), the U.S. Virgin Islands (5), the Federated States of Micronesia (8), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (4), and the Republic of Palau (2).
Secretary Haaland Visit Highlights Climate Resilience Investments in US Territories
Insular Affairs, Press Release
Secretary Haaland Visit Highlights Climate Resilience Investments in US Territories photo
11/14/2022
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor visited the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) and Puerto Rico this week to highlight the Department's efforts to bolster coastal and climate resilience in the U.S. territories, and opportunities to tell a more complete story of America.
Assistant Secretary Cantor Meets with the Presidents of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia
Insular Affairs, Press Release
Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia logo
11/4/2022
Assistant Secretary has now completed travel to each of the three freely associated states each of which have an important relationship with the United States under their respective Compact of Free Association.
Department of the Interior Technical Assistance Program Grants Now Open to U.S. Insular Areas
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Logo
10/25/2022
The announcements for funding for Technical Assistance (TAP), Maintenance Assistance (MAP), Coral Reef and Natural Resources (including Invasive Species projects) (CRNR), and Brown Tree Snake (BTS) are open with a deadline of March 17, 2023.
Assistant Secretary Cantor Meets with Virgin Islands Leaders, Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to the Territory
Insular Affairs, Press Release
Assistant Secretary Cantor Meets With Virgin Islands Leaders photo
10/20/2022
Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor today completed her first official visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) where she met with Governor Albert Bryan and other island leaders to emphasize the agency’s commitment to the people of the territory. 
Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Announces $10 Million in EIC Grants and Collaboration with Energy to Support the Territories
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Logo
9/23/2022
“The Biden-Harris administration prioritizes energy efficiency and resiliency for all Americans including the territories,” said Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor. “We look forward to working closely with NREL in supporting the territories’ energy needs in 2022 and beyond.” 
Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Applauds 33rd APIPA Conference for Strengthening Public Accountability in Island Areas
Insular Affairs, Press Release
APIPA Conference photo
9/22/2022
The APIPA 2022 conference provided training for auditing and financial accountability officials required by government auditing standards for auditors to maintain their professional competency. Thirteen (13) two-hour and four-hour courses were delivered during the conference in Plenary, Audit, and Finance tracks. More than 507 participants joined the conference, expanding their skills in government auditing and financial standards, audit report writing, grants management, leadership, risk, and internal controls. In total, over 2,785 course certificates were awarded for 7,028 credit hours.
Assistant Secretary Cantor Meets with President Surangel Whipps, Jr. in the Republic of Palau
Insular Affairs, Press Release
Republic of Palau photo
9/20/2022
“I am here to emphasize our commitment to the relationship that we share under the Compact of Free Association on behalf of the Department of the Interior,” said Assistant Secretary Cantor. “We remain committed to supporting communities in Palau, as evidenced by the recent inaugural meeting of the Palau Economic Advisory Group.”
Assistant Secretary Cantor Visits Guam, Announces $15 Million from the Inflation Reduction Act for the US Territories
Insular Affairs, Press Release
American Samoa, Guam
9/20/2022
Assistant Secretary Cantor visited with Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio and announced that $15 million in funding for climate change technical assistance will be made available under the Inflation Reduction Act for American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Assistant Secretary Cantor Visits Northern Mariana Islands, Announces $410,974 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Investments
Insular Affairs, Press Release
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) photo
9/16/2022
During her visit, Assistant Secretary Cantor announced $410,974 in grant funding that will be provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to conserve local ecosystems and be used to help counter the invasive Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle and the invasive Velvet Bean Vine. She delivered remarks at the 25th Annual District Judicial Conference for the Northern Mariana Islands and toured the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, Saipan’s only hospital.
Compact-Mandated Palau Economic Advisory Group Launched
Insular Affairs, Press Release
Compact Mandated Palau Economic Advisory Group Launched photo
9/15/2022
“The Department of the Interior is committed to providing support and assistance in the launch of the bilateral Palau Economic Advisory Group” said Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor. “We commend Palau for hosting the first meeting and applaud the EAG for taking the time to meet in Palau and begin these important conversations.”

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