$3.3m to lower energy costs

The Commonwealth is receiving $3,285,120 in fiscal year 2022 Energizing Insular Community grants to help lower the cost of electricity and save money on imported oil. The Interior Department announced todaythe funds will be used for the following projects:

• $1,408,000 to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation to design and build a 176kW solar PV carpark structure
• $1,182,600 for the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation to:
• Design a 1.2MW solar PV panel and battery storage integrated facility including soil percolation tests and environmental assessments for NEPA clearance
• Contract with a renewable energy manager and two renewable energy engineers to provide direct onsite support
• Conduct a communications evaluations study on monitoring and control systems on the CUC network to prepare for solar PV grid system integration
• $694,520 to the Office of the Governor for the following:
• Install solar-powered LED lights at the Tinian Children's Park
• Install solar-powered light systems at 15 coastal pavilions and parks on Saipan
• Install solar-powered light systems at 10 concrete multi-use pavilions around the island of Rota
• Support the Commonwealth's Energy Task Force Renewables-Technical Development program

In Congress we authorized comprehensive energy plans to reduce electricity rates in Public Law 113-235and steadily increased funding for the Energizing Insular Community Program with $6.3 million in FY20, $8.5 million in FY21, and this year's $11 million.