Sablan said Chu announced in Washington, D.C. the CNMI’s additional funding under the State Energy Program of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more popularly known as the stimulus law.
Sablan lauded the U.S. Congress for its efforts to help the CNMI meet its challenges, particularly in energy.
He said Chu expects the CNMI to use the$18.651 million energy grants to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy on the islands.
“These initiatives include incorporating energy efficiency technologies and practices in buildings and providing for the development, implementation and enforcement of energy policies throughout the government of the Northern Mariana Islands,” he said.
The grants should be used to establish an energy education program for all schools and the general public as well as tap renewable sources of energy for the community.
“The State Energy Program funding is one of the largest grants the Northern Mariana Islands is receiving from the Recovery Act,” said Sablan. “We are also receiving $800,000 for weatherization of about 175 homes to help individual families save on their utility bills.”
