Bill > HR5803

This bill mandates that the Secretary of the Interior, within 180 days of enactment, establish a team of experts in technical, policy, and financial matters 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, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau). This team will develop an "energy action plan" for each of these territories, aiming to provide affordable and reliable energy by reducing reliance on imported fuels, developing domestic energy sources, and improving energy efficiency. The plan will include implementation schedules, financial and engineering strategies, and progress benchmarks, and must be approved by the Secretary before implementation. The team will report its progress annually to the Secretary, who will then submit a summary to Congress. Additionally, the bill amends existing law to extend certain provisions related to natural resources in these areas until December 31, 2019.