§15891 Projects Enhancing Insular Energy Independence

Summary

The Secretary must study projects listed in plans sent to Congress to see if they can greatly cut an insular area’s need for imported fossil fuels or add needed local power generation. The study must be done when an electric utility in the insular area asks and agrees to pay at least 10 percent of the study cost. If the utility is in the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau, the request also needs written support from the President or the Ambassador of that freely associated state. The Secretary must work with regional utility groups when doing studies and deciding feasibility. A project is feasible if it would meet the fuel or local power goal at a reasonable cost. If a project is found feasible and a utility agrees to run it, the Secretary may provide technical and financial help, possibly through regional utility groups. Congress has allowed $500,000 each fiscal year for studies and $4,000,000 each fiscal year for project implementation. No insular area may get more than 20 percent of the funds in any 3-year period unless the Secretary decides more funding better serves the goals.