I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 579 
To require the Secretary of the Interior to assemble a team of technical, 
policy, and financial experts to address the energy needs of the insular 
areas of the United States and the Freely Associated States through 
the development of action plans aimed at reducing reliance on imported 
fossil fuels and increasing use of indigenous clean-energy resources, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 9, 2011 
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN (for herself, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. 
PIERLUISI, and Mr. SABLAN) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To require the Secretary of the Interior to assemble a team 
of technical, policy, and financial experts to address the 
energy needs of the insular areas of the United States 
and the Freely Associated States through the develop-
ment of action plans aimed at reducing reliance on im-
ported fossil fuels and increasing use of indigenous clean- 
energy resources, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. INSULAR AREAS AND FREELY ASSOCIATED 
STATES ENERGY DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY PLAN.—The term 
‘‘comprehensive energy plan’’ means a comprehen-
sive energy plan prepared and updated under sub-
sections (c) and (e) of section 604 of the Act entitled 
‘‘An Act to authorize appropriations for certain in-
sular areas of the United States, and for other pur-
poses’’, approved December 24, 1980 (48 U.S.C. 
1492). 
(2) ENERGY ACTION PLAN.—The term ‘‘energy 
action plan’’ means the plan required by subsection 
(d). 
(3) FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES.—The term 
‘‘Freely Associated States’’ means the Federated 
States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall 
Islands, and the Republic of Palau. 
(4) INSULAR AREAS.—The term ‘‘insular areas’’ 
means American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. 
(5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(6) TEAM.—The term ‘‘team’’ means the team 
established by the Secretary under subsection (b). 
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(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall es-
tablish a team of technical, policy, and financial experts— 
(1) to develop an energy action plan addressing 
the energy needs of each of the insular areas and 
Freely Associated States; and 
(2) to assist each of the insular areas and Free-
ly Associated States in implementing such plan. 
(c) PARTICIPATION OF REGIONAL UTILITY ORGANI-
ZATIONS.—In establishing the team, the Secretary shall 
consider including regional utility organizations. 
(d) ENERGY ACTION PLAN.—In accordance with sub-
section (b), the energy action plan shall include— 
(1) recommendations, based on the comprehen-
sive energy plan where applicable, to— 
(A) reduce reliance and expenditures on 
imported fossil fuels; 
(B) develop indigenous, nonfossil fuel en-
ergy sources; and 
(C) improve performance of energy infra-
structure and overall energy efficiency; 
(2) a schedule for implementation of such rec-
ommendations and identification and prioritization 
of specific projects; 
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