Renewable Energy in Micronesia-Island Legislators Take on Sustainable Public Policy

When the Association of Pacific Island Legislators (APIL) met in Honolulu last week, the membership heard from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) on the efforts in Micronesia to drive forward into the future less reliant on foreign fuels.  Each and every day islanders from Majuro to Yap  spend each day without the modern amenities of power as a means to help drive their respective island societies and economies.  While the larger island like Guam may enjoy such technologies across much of the unincorporated U.S. Territory, there are many isolated areas of Micronesia that still do not have electricity serving residents. 

Legislators listened intently to an SPC presentation that was not exactly an "eye opener", but allowed them all to re-think their collective positions on this important quality of life issue and how to help bring every part of their respective island communities into the 21st Century. GET, LLC was privileged to be part of this important audience held at the Hawaii State Capitol Building.

We learned that there are fascinating things happening across Micronesia related to advancing the use of renewable energy. Solar power is bringing 6,000 people in the Marshall Islands access to basic electricity for the first time ever.  Solar powered-lanterns are bringing light to isolated parts of Yap that was previously done courtesy of kerosene-fueled fires or other means.  This is the first time that at least 7,000 people there will have access to electricity and specifically lighting.  Also, Hydropower is changing lives in Pohnpei.  Other renewable energy sources like wind and Biofuels are allowing commerce and job creation to thrive throughout the remote islands of the FSM. Palau is adding grid connected solar photovoltaic systems into their Capitol Building and Guam is anxiously awaiting the completion of a 100 kW solar array construction project in Inarajan.   There is no question that electricity can change lives all while preserving centuries old cultural practices.  The SPC study did highlight the need to protect culture and preserve our way of life by finding smart policies to make this work for every man, woman and child across our great region of the Pacific.

Legislators remarked of ways to bring affordable solutions to the islands.  Policies that endorse technologies with multiple applications were encouraged.  Commitments to create modern laws and new regulations related to this important issue were shared with the shared concern that they all are driven with community input was broadly accepted best practices for island communities.

There were some missing components.  Renewable Energy targets were outlined but associated policies were are not placed on the front burner-low hanging fruit to begin the trek to wean ourselves from fossil fuels.  Energy efficiencies to include the changing of light bulbs or the use of energy efficient appliances can help this across the islands, but many see food and other staples more important that these swift and largely sustainable moves. Lawmakers were intrigued with this, but challenged to bring about such policies that would be of great help to reduce energy.  Even transportation-the means that connects us to the world around us all-is complex and makes this issue even more important, especially related to energy security. 

We as a global community should get behind the APIL's efforts on the energy front.  They all are committed.  They all are prepared to be leaders in energy.  They all know the fallout for not taking action or by a misstep to satisfy small constituencies that benefit financially while the greater communities of Micronesia remain left behind with such a simple amenity of life in the island and part of the world community. 

"Reasonable Cost" for LED Lighting

It is a little known fact that lighting accounts for nearly 15 percent of the energy consumed in buildings across America's 50 states and five territories.  This has pushed building owners to seek out  more energy efficient lighting systems for their respective facilities. This places the spotlight on Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lighting.  

Why?

According to a recent report by global corporate research and growth services firm Frost & Sullivan,  due to its reasonable cost, technology improvements and long life the LED lighting market is poised to grow significantly over the next five years.

In their analysis of the North American LED Lighting Market, Frost & Sullivan found that the market earned total revenues of $1.15 billion in 2012 and estimates this to reach $3.63 billion by 2017.

The market is primarily segmented into indoor and outdoor LED lighting.  Analysts surmised that the need to conserve energy by upgrading older systems to LED lighting is a key driver for the market and found that there is higher adoption of energy efficient lighting in the outdoor segment due to government funding for lighting upgrades in exterior applications.

Additionally, the report noted that the North American LED lighting market has also got a leg up from supportive legislation, such as the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which mandates greater energy efficiency of general service incandescent lamps. The legislation also pushes the market introduction of efficient and high performing solid-state lighting (SSL) products, including LED lighting.

While the U.S. federal government is pushing hard to incorporate these upgrades in buildings from Pennsylvania to Guam, the higher initial costs of LED lighting products compared to that of competing technologies are beating back full implementation. Not helpful as of late, is the economic downturn of the last few years that has tightened the grip on funds by building owners as they demand cost effective systems that also offer energy savings.

There is an upside.

The Frost & Sullivan report noted that while the operating costs of an LED lighting system are low, the capital expenditure or "first cost" of LED lighting products is often prohibitive to end users that do not have a clear vision of the short- to medium-term return on investment from energy savings. 

In the islands where $0.26 per kWh is the norm and rising, this idea is certainly turning heads of even the most conservative of owners here and across the Western Pacific. We can take away from all of this that the technology will experience wider acceptance as ongoing research helps lower costs of production, making LED lighting more affordable.  If we can continue to educate customers, including those reading this blog, about the life-cycle cost benefits of installing an LED lighting system and demonstrating the energy savings that are achievable with these systems-there will be market success.

To learn more about the LED products that GET, LLC provides, please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us to discuss solutions for your important lighting needs.

Fitial Resigns as CNMI Governor-Where is the Commonwealth Headed?

A sad day across the Marianas Archipelago as Benigno Repeki Fitial resigned today as Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).  Some of my friends from the North may disagree with the first sentence of this post.  Many love him, many hate him. To me, Governor Fitial is one of the most interesting men I have had the privilege of working with in my professional life. 

I first met him while getting a Joint Communique of the Micronesian Chief Executives Summit signed just days after his inauguration on January 9, 2006.  This kind man, somewhat of a throw-back to the days of the Trust Territories of the Pacific was very firm when I asked for his signature. "What's this for?", he asked me. I told him it was for my former boss and then Guam Governor Felix Camacho and the leaders of Western Micronesia. "Ok," Fitial responded."But since the Governor sent you here and you are asking, I guess I better sign." He signed the document with a coy smile.  Not what I expected from our first meeting.  The exchange was the start to a relationship that I will cherish always. 

From our interactions at the Nine of the Chiefs Summits from Yap to Saipan to Guam to Palau to many meetings on Capitol Hill and the Federal Region IX in California, Governor Fitial has always put the needs of the people of the CNMI first in his talks and foremost in front of every federal bureaucrats. He and First Lady Josie were always great ambassadors of the people of the NMI every where they went.  Also, Governor Fitial was a great storyteller, joke teller and karaoke singer. Though he has been troubled with back problems and other health issues, his smile has lit up rooms all over the region and the across the world in his travels.

But these anecdotes may only be footnotes in history of a tumultuous term of a one of the most storied leaders of Micronesia.  What was Fitial up against? The economy of the CNMI was brought to its knees by a vindictive political machine in Washington DC led by California Congressman George Miller who spearheaded the increase of the minimum wage in 2007 and a federal takeover of immigration into the Commonwealth in 2008-all linked to the CNMI's relationship with convicted felon and disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.  The end result was the loss of manufacturing and tax revenues.  Additionally, neglect and lack of resources placed Saipan's fragile power and water system in the crosshairs of federal regulators which forced more controls and a lack of technical assistance to give the people a modern utility infrastructure. The end result has been continued rolling blackouts and brackish water.  These are just two of the myriad of issues facing this Carolinian and Satawalese raised historian, businessman and dedicated family man each day since elected Governor. 

Toss in the fact that his first Lieutenant Governor was convicted on federal fraud charges and the CNMI House of Representatives and Senate for seven years blocked the creation of substantive local policy for the benefit of all the people of the NMI, Governor Fitial governed to the best of his ability up into his final day in office.

Politics ruled the day in Saipan today. 

When the smoke clears from Ben Fitial's resignation, what is next for the Office of the Governor of the CNMI?  

I am a big fan of Lieutenant Governor and now Governor Eloy Inos.  The two giants of the CNMI political landscape have not always saw eye to eye.  Both have had disagreements-publically and privately.  But now, with Fitial out the entire CNMI and region is looking to Inos to move the Northern Marianas forward and improve upon some of the good work the duo accomplished together. 

How will the people respond?  Will it be better?  Will it be much of the same?  If it is the latter, no one can put the blame of a people's woes on the back of one of Micronesia's great statesman.  

We all wish Governor Inos and the people of the CNMI luck as a new chapter opens in the Commonwealth's history.  Inos does have his hands full. Let's see where the new leadership takes the people of the CNMI.

Guam-A Different Perspective

An interesting drama played out in Washington DC this past weekend as U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary Anthony M. "Tony" Babauta resigned from his post.

With the departure of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar expected in March and a second term for President  Barack Obama in full swing, the issues surrounding the DOI Inspector General's investigation into alleged actions by the former-Hill aide and Guam Legislative staffer have yet to be fully revealed.  

Washington insiders have revealed a number of different issues that may have led to Tony leaving Interior.  It is likely he will end up on K Street lobbying on any number of the issues he spent the last ten years working on up on Capitol Hill.  The Gonzaga graduate could help influence policy on renewable energy, trade, or insular area matters. One thing is for certain, his background and federal policy experience will be of great benefit to his next employer.  

So why resign?  

The Agat, Guam native ascended like a rocket to one of the highest posts ever held by a Chamorro in an executive branch agency.  In fact, some wondered how he was able to nab such an important job early in the current Administration as Senior Advisor to Secretary Salazar then Assistant Secretary without giving a single penny to the Obama Campaign or stumped for Obama during the 2008 election cycle.  Maybe it was his policy work with U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate Donna Christiansen, his professional staff experience with Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo or his often talked about-but quiet-role working on the staff of former Guam Delegate Robert Underwood. 

Regardless, many a Chamorro was proud of Tony.  Such an accomplishment is remarkable with all things considered and perhaps the career path will inspire other young men and women of Guam to do the same.  

Washington DC is a nasty town.  Though the seat of one of the greatest government's in the world, DC is a place where those with influence and a shred of credibility among the political elite play for keeps.  

Tony was a decision maker.  Not many people have respect for such authority.  Many others may have even less respect for a guy who may or may not have been going at the direction of the agency foremost on the radar of insular area people and others looking to profit in America's last Pacific and Caribbean frontiers.  Tony's actions probably aren't matching up with this President's agenda from now and into the Inaugural activities in 2017. 

On this side of the dateline, this may not bode well for the Democratic Party of Guam who were banking on a marketable and young policy wonk to perhaps get the nod to go against the incumbent Governor of Guam and retake Adelup for the first time since 2002. I don't think this will be the last time we will hear of this issue. 

There is an old saying that, "It seldom happens that a premature shoot of genius arrives at maturity."  Tony was the face of a sitting U.S. President.  His shingle says so.  It was the face that may have been hiding something that only in time will be revealed and hopefully any pain or heartache is mitigated for the sake of the other actors.