Bill > S2986

This bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish a team of experts in technical, policy, and financial matters within 180 days of enactment to address the energy needs of U.S. insular areas (American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands) and the Freely Associated States (Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau). This team will develop an "energy action plan" for each of these territories, which will include recommendations to reduce reliance on imported fuels, develop domestic energy sources, and improve energy infrastructure efficiency, along with a timeline and financial plan for implementation. The team will also assist in implementing these plans and must submit annual progress reports to the Secretary, who will then report summaries to Congress. The energy action plans cannot be put into effect until approved by the Secretary. Additionally, the bill makes amendments to existing law, extending certain deadlines related to energy resource development in these areas.