Pacific / American Samoa

US territories get funds boost for renewable energy

15:55 pm on 28 June 2017

The United States Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, has approved about $US2.7 million in energy grants to American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas.

Solar energy Photo: RNZ

American Samoa will receive over $US1.1 million for renewable energy and water distribution systems.

Guam gets just over US$1 million for solar and energy audit work while the CNMI gets nearly $US660,000 for a solar project and a feasibility study on methane gas extraction.

Mr Zinke said the US recognised that the cost of electricity in its territories was, on average, three times higher than the US national average.

Thirty-four applications, totalling more than US$18 million were submitted for consideration to the Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs.