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Bill to include public libraries in net metering passes House
John Paul Sablan
The House of Representatives unanimously passed Friday a bill that will include public libraries in the priority for net metering once the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. expands its renewable energy capacity.
Rep. John Paul P. Sablan (Ind-Saipan) is the author of the bill, House Bill 23-6. Several others co-sponsored the legislation.
Before the voting, Rep. Ralph N. Yumul (Ind-Saipan) thanked Sablan for introducing “such a great bill.” Yumul, however, stated that they must also remember that there are other residents that are also suffering from the high cost of CUC power. Yumul urged Rep. Vicente Aldan (Ind-Saipan), who chairs the House Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications Committee, to look into opening net metering to everyone so that the islands can pay a lower power cost by having everybody install power solar system or solar panels in their homes.
Sablan stated in the bill that including public libraries in the definition of education entities will allow libraries to qualify and apply for federal grants that support the administration’s priorities for clean energy to power the future in the U.S. territories as part of the lager efforts toward energy security in America.
He stated that the purpose of Public Law 18-75 was to provide a definition for net metering and to prioritize the interconnection with net metering for health and education renewable energy capacity at CUC.
Sablan said that, over time, this will save millions of dollars in utility costs and utilize the money saved for other essential needs of the public health and education entities.
