March 2, 2010
(Denver, Colorado) Governor Felix P. Camacho today attended the start of a two-day conference focused on the establishment of renewable energy solutions for U.S. Territories in the Pacific, at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. NREL is operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy, and is a national leader in renewable energy and energy efficiency research, development, demonstration, and deployment.
Governor Camacho joined Governor Togiola Tulafono of American Samoa, Governor Benigno Fitial of the CNMI, and Governor Bill Ritter of Colorado, at the U.S. Department of the Interior-hosted talks that included the impacts of national security and renewable energy, the integrated deployment of renewable technologies, NREL’s support for Pacific Island Resource Assessments, and details of the establishment of Colorado’s New Energy Economy.
“Our communities have become increasingly dependent on fossil fuels,” said Gov. Camacho. “I believe we must work with organizations such as NREL to develop ways to harness solar and wind power to address the energy needs of our people.”
Gov. Camacho was presented the findings of a NREL study, conducted over a one year period, which looked at wind feasibility in Guahan. The study developed baseline wind profile data and analysis, and identified three locations best suited for wind energy development: Mount Alifan in Agat, the Glass Breakwater at Apra Harbor, and northern Guahan at Andersen Air Force Base.
“This information will be used to develop a federal grant to set up wind technologies in very critical areas on island,” said Gov. Camacho. “I have urged NREL to work closely with the Consolidated Commission on Utilities and the Guam Power Authority to ensure that any wind plans meet the greater needs of the our island, and complement their efforts to bring such technologies to Guahan.”
NREL has offered technical assistance to the Office of the Governor, Consolidated Commission on Utilities, Guam Power Authority, and the University of Guam to conduct an integrated assessment on alternative energy policy options that would ensure sustainability and further protect the environment.
“It will take a community effort to accomplish reasonable renewable energy goals for Guahan,” said Gov. Camacho. “We will collaborate at every level to develop broad energy policy in hopes of introducing mature technologies that can be replicated across Micronesia.”
