By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

THE U.S. Department of the Interior awarded the CNMI government nearly $1 million in technical grants to renovate its antiquated power plants on Saipan and finance a comprehensive economic study.
Jeff Schorr, field representative of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs, said visiting Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs David Cohen approved a $800,879 grant for the renovation of power plants and a technical assistance grant of $75,050 for the comprehensive economic study.
Cohen also approved the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s request to reprogram 2003 capital improvement project funding amounting to $250,000 to finance improvements for Rota’s power system.
The CNMI government must match this grant with the same amount.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said the islands are grateful for the assistance.
In a letter to CUC Executive Director Anthony C. Guerrero, Cohen said “costs may not be incurred and work may not commence on this project until OIA has ensured that all federal environmental laws and regulations are complied with,” Cohen told Guerrero in a letter dated March 28.