As Congressman Greg Sablan rightly asserted, the CNMI has been given the opportunity of a life time. The question is — do those in the position of power have the vision to seize the day?
I encourage residents of the CNMI to educate your self on this matter. Energy independence may be the single biggest issue of you and your children’s lifetimes.
Check out legendary Texas oilman T. Boon Pickens plan on the Web. Picken’s plan envisions wind farms to power up home energy, then using the natural gas to power cars as a “bridge technology” until we can move on into a fully electric society (plug in electric vehicles; homes running on wind, geothermal, solar).
Also find a Web site on “Peak Oil”; check out the International Energy Agency’s latest world report predicting the end of cheap oil; read up on the Pentagons view of peak oil (yes the ultimate insiders know all about the end of oil).
After reading, visualize our beautiful island shining in the sunshine, with all these natural forms of energy around us, ready to be harnessed. What will it be Saipan? Geothermal, wind, solar, wave/tidal, bio-fuel, or a combination of these?
Now visualize nothing being done, another series of generators burning fuel from foreign lands, our fragile island economy at the whim of any geopolitical instability; the inevitable rise in price of oil.
If anyone is interested in learning more about renewable energy, engage in discussion, or start a community awareness group on this matter please e-mail me: [email protected]
MARK STAAL
As Matuis, Saipan
