Contact: Tanya_Joshua@ios.doi.gov
(202) 355-3023
WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) has announced $9,998,823 in Energizing Insular Community grants for the U.S. territories of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). OIA has also signed an interagency agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to provide technical assistance in support of the territories’ continued efforts to deploy clean energy systems, improve energy security and resilience, reduce energy costs, and diversify away from dependence on petroleum-based fuels.
“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.”
Through this partnership with NREL, OIA is helping the territories update and implement existing energy action plans which the House Appropriations Committee called for in House Report 116-100 and will help OIA meet reporting requirements for the study of electric rates in the Insular Areas under 48 US Code 1492a. Congress called for OIA to help the territories reduce reliance and expenditures on imported fuels, develop and utilize domestic energy sources, improve the performance of energy infrastructure, and strengthen overall energy efficiency and resiliency for these island communities.
The Energizing Insular Community grants approved for fiscal year 2022 are as follows:
EIC grants totaling $3,272,277 to benefit Guam are:
EIC grants totaling $3,285,120 to benefit the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are:
EIC grants totaling $3,441,426 to benefit the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) are:
The latest energy reports from the territories and more information about the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Energizing Insular Communities program can be found at https://www.doi.gov/oia/energizing-insular-communities.
The Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs and the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. OIA also administers a discretionary Technical Assistance Program for all the insular areas. Find information about OIA and its work on www.doi.gov/oia, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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