Fitial goes to Alaska, expects Murkowski to also visit Saipan

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial left on Friday for Alaska to attend one of the state’s biggest energy fairs, and also expects that Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) will also visit Saipan for issues such as federalization and renewable energy.

Fitial and the first lady’s trip to Fairbanks, Alaska came barely two weeks after they returned from almost a month of off-island trips for personal and official business in Japan and the U.S. mainland. 

Press secretary Angel Demapan, when asked for comment, said Fitial went to Alaska at the invitation of Chena Hot Springs owner Bernie Karl and Murkowski, who earlier told Fitial she will also be visiting Saipan. 

In 2006, Karl installed a geothermal power system at the resort he owns in Alaska and earned additional green credentials.  Fitial is a big supporter of geothermal energy, which is now being explored in the CNMI.

“The governor’s visit to Alaska is the beginning of a two-way informal agreement that if the governor visits Alaska, then Murkowski will also go to Saipan. She plans to come here early 2012,” Demapan told Saipan Tribune.

Murkowski’s father, former Sen. Frank Murkowski, served as chair of the Natural Resources Committee and at the time, he was a source of assistance for the CNMI in the U.S. Senate.   

Since succeeding her father in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Lisa Murkowski continues to keep an eye on the islands. 

The governor will be one of the speakers at the 6th Annual Renewable Energy Fair hosted by Chena Hot Springs Resort on Sunday, or today Saipan time. 

The Annual Chena Hot Springs Renewable Energy Fair is an event designed to bring experts in renewable energy and sustainability together with the public to share information on all things renewable and sustainable.   

During the event, Chena displays its own tried and true renewable technologies as well as some of its newer cutting edge developments. This year, Chena we will be displaying its new plastic to oil machine which transforms recycled plastic into usable petroleum, a refurbished gasifier powered Ford Model T, and the new Chena Power Hydroponic Forager Unit which can fully grow animal feed in a controlled environment in as little as six days.   

Other renewable energy technologies will also be on display from various organizations. 

Demapan said Fitial and the first lady will be back to Saipan immediately after the fair. 

Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, whose wife’s burial is today, has been the acting governor since Fitial left the island on Friday