Governor fills out slate of appointees to renewable energy committee

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Through an Apr. 24 memorandum, Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga appointed 8 new members of the American Samoa Renewable Energy Committee (ASREC) to fill vacant seats on this ASG panel, which includes two members appointed from the private sector.

According to the governor, the ASREC is responsible for:

•           developing a vision, mission, and goals for reducing dependence on fossil fuels, improving energy efficiency, and developing renewable energy resources;

•           establishing an organizational structure to appropriately develop a comprehensive, long term Strategic Energy Plan for American Samoa; and

•           working with territorial and federal officials to secure technical assistance in the form of expertise and funding in order to move the Committee's mission forward.

Lemanu directed that ASG departments and agencies shall support and where appropriate, assist ASREC in the development and implementation of its goals.

With the 8 new appointments, the governor announced that the ASREC now comprises the following members:

• Misipati Salanoa, Chairperson, and director of the ASG’s Territorial Energy Office

• Wallon Young, Vice Chairperson and executive director of the American Samoa Power Authority

• Ryan Tuatoo of ASPA

• Faleosina Voigt - Public Works director

• Lefega Faamao Asalele Jr. - director of the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency

• Kelley L. Anderson Tagarino of the American Samoa Community College

• Rachel Sanford, legal counsel of the Governor’s Office

• the two private sector members are: Jason Corrie and Tufuga Faafoi Palepua

The full Committee membership comes at a time when some lawmakers have questioned the work of this panel and a report that renewable energy sources for the territory are less dependent on imported fuel.

Two lawmakers say they are looking at getting updates from ASREC in time for the Fono to convene in July for the Second Regular Session of the 38th Legislature, with the annual budget, the top priority for review and approval.