Saipan, the main and most populated island of the CNMI, continues to be plagued with constant power outages either due to the government’s antiquated power plant facilities or lack of money to buy fuel for power engines.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said Interior approved a total of $736,582.88 grant for the CNMI.
Part of it — $220,000 — is specifically granted to finance the CNMI’s geothermal assessment project on Pagan, which the military may also use as one of its live-fire drill training sites in the wake of plans to relocate more than 12,000 U.S. Marines from Japan to Guam from 2012.
The grant also covers funds for another CNMI economic study, government organizational review and CNMI Zoning Board capacity startup boost.
“My recent trip to our nation’s capital yielded very positive results for the CNMI. I am pleased with the good working relationship we now enjoy with the Office of Insular Affairs, and I am grateful for their consideration of our commonwealth’s needs,” the governor said in a statement.
Retired U.S. Geological Survey scientist Dr. James Quick was hired as the governor’s special assistant for alternative energy this year.
Quick recently led a team of scientists on Pagan, a volcanic island about 75 miles away from Saipan, to study its potential to produce electricity for the inhabited islands of the CNMI through its geothermal energy.
The initial study, however, is still not enough to jumpstart the project, thus, help was sought from the federal government.
Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said the CNMI government would also seek the help of the U.S. military which eyes to use Pagan for its live-fire drill exercises.
“Our geothermal project seems promising based on preliminary expert assessments. Yes, we are working with Dr. Quick to explore the potential of this form of alternative energy. We wish to work with the US government, including DOI and the military, in developing the potential of this proven energy source,” Reyes told Variety in an interview.
