---

FSM States to Review National Energy Policy Draft

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): August 5, 2009 - In late July, 2009, President Manny Mori sent each FSM State Governor a draft copy of the National Energy Policy for review. The policy draft was prepared by the FSM Energy Division and Energy Advisor on the request of the Secretary of Resources and Development, Hon. Peter Christian.

The FSM National Energy Policy has a framework that builds upon the National Energy Objective to "promote the sustainable social and economic development of the FSM through the provision and utilization of cost-effective, safe, reliable and sustainable energy services." It also has a National Vision Statement which is to "improve the life and livelihood of all FSM citizens with affordable, reliable and environmentally sound energy."

The major goals if the policy are to become less dependent on imported sources of energy by having an increased share of renewable energy sources and having cross sector energy conservation and efficiency measurements in place, so that by the year 2020, the share of renewable energy sources would be at least 30% of the energy production, with an improvement in efficiency of 50%.

The Energy Policy has the following overall objectives:

1. (Remote Communities) Encourage the application of appropriate support and incentives to enable disadvantaged and/or geographically remote communities to access affordable energy.

2. (Capacity Building) Improve adequate and institutional capacity to plan, manage, and develop the energy sector by providing appropriate energy-related training opportunities at all educational and professional levels.

3. (Capacity Building) Accelerate research and development of energy technologies that are appropriate for adoption within the nation and facilitate international transfers of appropriate technologies that the nation is capable of operating and maintaining.

4. (Capacity Building) Assess and promote indigenous resource potential and technical capacity for all aspects of energy sector planning and development.

5. (Public Awareness) Increase training and public awareness on renewable energy and fuels for vehicles, energy efficiency, and conservation through publicity campaigns and school curricula.

6. (Private Sector Involvement) Enhance public-private partnerships and expand private sector participation, investment, ownership, and management for energy supply including electricity generation, transmission and distribution with job creation in mind.

7. (Private Sector Involvement) Establish an enabling and competitive environment for the introduction of independent energy providers where these may provide efficient, reliable, and affordable service to consumers.

8. (Community level initiatives) Promote involvement and input from non-government organizations and local communities, including youth and women, in policy implementation and integrated planning.

In his transmittal letter to the Governors, President Mori asked that each Governor draw particular attention to their State Action Plan, as well as other state-specific areas of the draft document, to ensure that the draft policy properly and correctly addresses the needs of the States. The President said that this review should also provide an opportunity for each State to update its action plan, if necessary. When the policy is finalized, it will be submitted to the FSM Congress for approval of funding for the initiatives it contains.