Ted Lieu

09/26/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/26/2023 12:05

REP LIEU AND U.S. TERRITORY CONGRESSPERSONS INTRODUCE BILL AIMED AT ISLAND ENERGY RESILIENCY

REP LIEU AND U.S. TERRITORY CONGRESSPERSONS INTRODUCE BILL AIMED AT ISLAND ENERGY RESILIENCY

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September 26, 2023

WASHINGTON -Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), along with Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands), Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón (R-Puerto Rico), Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-Northern Mariana Islands), Congressman Jim Moylan (R-Guam) and Congresswoman Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa) announced the introduction of the Renewable Energy for U.S. Territories Act. The bill creates a grant program for investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, smart grids and micro grids projects as well as training local residents. The grants will be awarded to non-profit organizations and the Department of Energy's National Laboratories may provide technical assistance.

As climate change makes storms stronger and more frequent, we have to ensure our critical infrastructure can withstand what is to come,"Rep. Lieu said. "Nowhere is this more true than for our island territories. We saw the life-threatening consequences of critical infrastructure failure when Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were devastated by hurricanes in 2017. The impact that those and subsequent storms had on local energy grids served as the inspiration for our bipartisan Renewable Energy for U.S. Territories Act. Our bill would help U.S. territories fortify their energy infrastructure and become leaders in renewable, clean energy. I am pleased to have Resident Commissioner González-Colón and Plaskett, Sablan, Moylan and Radewagen as partners in our push for climate investments for our U.S. territories."

"This bill tackles a critical issue facing our communities, especially after a major disaster: the need for power infrastructure that is resilient, stable, and reliable. We must take advantage of both utility-scale sources and flexible distributed solutions so that residents, public services, and businesses, especially in rural areas, can recover quickly. We must also use all available resources and start building a more resilient and economically viable energy future. Just as we are now in the process of expanding renewable energy in Puerto Rico, it is important to train community members so they understand and can participate in the installation and operation of local power grids wherever needed. The continued support of the National Laboratories would be vital in achieving these goals and determining the scale of the projects and grants to be established. I am proud to cosponsor this legislation alongside my colleagues and look forward to working together to strengthen the energy resources in our jurisdictions,"said Rep. González-Colón. "I am happy and proud to join my colleagues in co-leading this timely bill,"said Rep. Plaskett. "Virgin Islanders know firsthand the potential and often times realized threat that our already crumbling infrastructure faces year after year. Even prior to the hurricanes of 2017, the energy infrastructure in the Virgin Islands suffered from systemic underfunding which prevented desired maintenance and investment. The Renewable Energy for U.S. Territories Act is critical legislation that will support the resources to springboard resilient, hardened energy infrastructure, aligned with the Biden Administration's clean energy plans for the present and future. Adopting reliable renewable energy should be a priority across the nation and the world, but the need is far more crucial for areas such as the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico which will continue to be affected by storms that are increasing in strength and frequency. Doing our part in the fight against climate change is vital for our economies and for the preservation of the resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for generations to come."

"The global climate crisis and increasing strength of natural disasters continue to expose how vulnerable our energy infrastructure is in the Marianas and the other U.S. insular areas,"said Rep. Sablan. "The Renewable Energy for U.S. Territories Act will help our front-line island communities make the most of the natural resources we have-like solar and wind-and adopt reliable and cheaper renewable energy. This bill would create a renewable energygrant program solely for the insular areas to invest in renewable energy systems, energy storage, and training for residents. The program would also fortify energy grids against future natural disasters. Reducing our reliance on harmful fossil fuels and shifting to renewable energy is vital to preventing the worst effects of climate change."

"Many island communities are affected by unprecedented natural disasters,"said Rep. Moylan. "This year, Guam was struck by a typhoon which left many people without food, shelter, and power. The Typhoon exposed the vulnerability of our electrical grid and highlighted the need for a more resilient infrastructure. The Renewable Energy for U.S. Territories Act will address many of these issues as well as improve our energy efficiency and storage capabilities." "American Samoa and other islands often have added challenges in energy production, and high costs to ship in the energy needed for our local economy,"said Rep. Amata Coleman Radewagen. "Renewable energy can become a strong point and help solve these needs if the support is put in place to make that investment."


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