Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands:

Consultant: Geothermal Energy Best Option for Northern Mariana Islands (Marianas Variety)

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

The best chance to significantly lower utility costs in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is through geothermal power. Economists.com managing director Robert Young said, “It is very expensive initially but it has fairly low operating costs.”

He said there is a significant amount of research involved and much preparation for drilling test wells. Until the Northern Marianas makes these preparatory moves, it will have to rely on diesel-powered plants and other available alternatives.

Asked how soon the CNMI could realize having a geothermal power plant, Young said in his opinion it would take less than five years. But he said the CNMI must first do the drills that may cost up to $5 million.

He said the CNMI can look into federal grants from the Department of the Interior, among other federal agencies, for such a project.

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