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OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR – AMERICAN SAMOA
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release - Friday, March 13, 2009)
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Office: (684) 633-4116 - Fax: (684) 633-2269 - Cell: (684) 733-4680
Governor Togiola announces American Samoa to receive $19 million stimulus funding for weatherization and state energy program
(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today received news from the White House that American Samoa will receive an increase in stimulus funding for energy programs through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
“The latest figures we have, is that total monies for American Samoa for weatherization is about $1 million,” said Governor Togiola. “Roughly $18 million is slated for the State Energy Program, and these funding levels are in addition to the monies the Territory will receive through formula allocation. The funds are included in two of the three formula grants under Title IV of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.”
Governor Togiola said the approximately $18 million for the American Samoa State Energy Program is to be used to promote the conservation of energy and to reduce the rate of growth of energy demand through the development of a comprehensive territorial energy conservation plan.
“The Weatherization Assistance Program monies will be used to assist low-income families in reducing their energy bills by weatherizing their homes. These stimulus funds are meant to be used to improve the energy efficiency of low-income homes by such means as installing solar water heaters and other energy-efficient devices,” said Governor Togiola.
Last Sunday, March 8, 2009, Governor Togiola sent to the nation’s capital, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Economic Stimulus and Recovery Office, Pat Galea’i, and ASPA Chief Financial Officer Francis Leasiolagi, who is providing assistance in the Territory’s recovery and reinvestment effort, in the areas of energy, water resources, solid waste, power generation, and related finance.
Governor Togiola said Galea’i and Leasiolagi were sent to the meeting of senior officials working on Recovery Act implementation to learn about what programs and initiatives are available under the Act.
At the meeting of State ARRA Directors and members of the Obama Administration chaired by Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday, March 12, 2009, the goal was to ensure that the implementation of stimulus funds provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is effective, transparent and efficient.
“I am happy to say that reports from our team in Washington is wonderful and I have been told that a telling sign of the unswerving commitment to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the nation’s economic recovery, was the appearance of President Barack Obama at the meeting, where he gave a brief, but dynamic speech, in reinforcing Vice President Biden’s call to action, and underscored the Stimulus package under the Act as the most important work on everyone’s agenda,” said Governor Togiola. “At the meeting, President Obama conveyed his confidence that the state stimulus directors were up to the extremely important task and that he expected them to do extraordinary work.”
Governor Togiola said the meeting also allowed Galea’i and Leasiolagi to interact with other appointed economic recovery directors of states and territories to share ideas, network, and discuss the ARRA, funding, and strategies with members of President Obama’s Administration.
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