JKPL eyes ‘green’ energy through solar panels

The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library wants to “go green” by installing solar panels on its roof, which is due for repair and replacement.

In a letter to Energy Division director Thelma B. Inos, JKPL executive director John Oliver Gonzales requested for direct funding and technical assistance for the installation of these solar panels.

“We absolutely believe that the solar panels will sustainably augment our energy conservation efforts and tremendously reduce the exorbitant cost of utilities we now pay,” Gonzales wrote to Inos early this month.

The CNMI’s state library was recently awarded a $200,000 grant by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund the repair and replacement of its roof, which has survived years of environmental impact since it was built in December 1991.

Gonzales, in an interview, said that JKPL wants to tap other funding sources that would allow them to install solar panels on their roofing to help lower their utility cost.

“We’re optimizing and leveraging,” he told Saipan Tribune. “It’s vital in this time of crisis to be innovative, creative, and think outside the box. These are the ethos that we need to embrace and implement.”

Gonzales said eyeing these funding sources means taking a “pro-active and aggressive” approach to better serve library patrons by enhancing their facilities and services.

“We’re challenged to make our products more relevant and effective so we want to make sure we go through all possible channels,” he added.

According to Gonzales, he already received a call from the Energy Division informing them that they will accommodate the request through the CNMI State Energy Grant Program, which “takes care of identified government facilities that want solar panels.”

The grant program, he said, expires by June 2012.

Gonzales yesterday disclosed that he met with Inos a few days ago and reinforced the Energy Division’s “commitment” to assist the JKPL in its efforts to use alternative energy at its facility.

Inos noted, however, that the Energy Division will have to accommodate government agencies that made requests before JKPL.

“I told director Inos that the library is a very critical public service oriented facility and we would really appreciate it if they can assist us through the grant. We’re just glad that we have the Energy Division’s commitment on this,” said Gonzales.