THE Senate Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications on Tuesday submitted a report to Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero regarding the status of the Solar for All program for which the Office of Grants Management & State Clearinghouse has submitted a grant application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Chaired by Sen. Paul A. Manglona, the PUTC committee met with OGM-SC Administrator Epiphanio Cabrera Jr. on March 14, 2024 to discuss the issues and concerns surrounding the Solar for All program.
According to Manglona, OGM-SC submitted an $82.1 million grant application in August 2023. Cabrera told the committee that the CNMI may or may not receive the exact amount requested, but is guaranteed to get at least $25 million for the Solar for All program. This is “anticipated to come into fruition by August 2024 with households on Rota being the first ones to realize the program as pilot recipients.”
Manglona said the action plan for the grant would depend on how much the CNMI is approved to receive for the program. If the requested $82.1 million is approved, Manglona said OGM-SC will hire 25 personnel from Saipan, four from Tinian and four from Rota.
Manglona said the Solar for All grant is meant to assist 5,000 homes, including 564 on Rota and 580 on Tinian, acquire residential rooftop solar panels.
Manglona said the committee recommended to OGM-SC to do the following:
1) Hire a project manager to oversee every aspect of the grant from start to finish.
2) Have the project manager ensure that all grants and procurement requirements are adhered to, required permits are obtained timely, and records and required data are maintained in good order.
3) Have the project manager ensure that every aspect of the project is active and progressing promptly.
Manglona said the committee thanked Cabrera for providing them a better understanding of the Solar for All program, and OGM-SC’s plans.
