U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan gestures while speaking during a U.S. House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs hearing on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan said he was disappointed with the way the Office of Insular Affairs is administering the Energizing Insular Communities Program, which was created to help insular areas develop energy strategies.
“I am not satisfied with the way your office administers this program,” he told Assistant Interior Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor on Wednesday, May 8, during a U.S. House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs hearing on President Joe Biden’s fiscal year 2025 budget request for OIA.
Kilili cited Public Law 113-235, which he said clearly states that it is OIA’s responsibility to develop and implement energy plans and report to the U.S. Congress on whether milestones are being met.
He said OIA awards grants annually under the program, but it also must provide action plans and technical and financial expertise to help bring down energy costs and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
“Unfortunately, we are all still waiting to learn about their progress,” Kilili said.
He asked Cantor if OIA can make the transition to alternative energy much faster and more efficient.
“We can [achieve] this if OIA provides the plans on the technical and financial expertise as P.L. 113-235 directs. Will you Madam Secretary commit to follow the law?” he asked.
Cantor replied, “Yes, we commit to following the law, always.”
But “you have not been for several years now,” Kilili said. “Madam Secretary, I am asking you to please — this is really important. You know, people in my district are paying close to 50 cents an hour for one kilowatt of electricity. It is in the 30 to 40 cents range.”
He added, “Before you give out the money, [you were supposed] to build a plan for energy in the insular areas. You haven’t done that. You have given out grants, I mean Santa Claus does that on Christmas. … But will you follow the law? … It’s on record. The law as written by [former Congresswoman] Donna Christensen [of the U.S. Virgin Islands] and I. Will your office follow the law? Please.”
“Delegate, we follow the law,” Cantor said.
