Palacios enacts bill to include public libraries in net metering

Gov. Arnold I. Palacios enacted Monday a bill that will include public libraries as an education entity in the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s net metering program for renewable energy. House Bill 23-6 is now Public Law 23-02.

The House passed the bill without amendments last Feb. 3. The Senate passed it without amendments last March 9. Rep. John Paul P. Sablan (Ind-Saipan) is the author of the bill. Several others co-sponsored the legislation.

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 larger efforts toward energy security in America.

Sablan said this will save millions of dollars in utility costs and utilize the money saved for other essential needs of public health and education entities.