Press Release: Dept. of Energy, PNNL representatives visit CNMI; assess CNMI's alternative energy options for the Marpi Landfill

ANNOUNCEMENTS | February 15, 2023

From February 6 to 9, representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) were in the CNMI for preliminary discussions and site visits as part of the Marpi Landfill Power Supply Feasibility Study. This study seeks to identify power supply options that will provide 24/7, reliable, and resilient energy to the Marpi Landfill on Saipan.

A draft feasibility report will be reviewed by the project team and shared with the public at the next All Planners Taskforces meeting, tentatively scheduled for April 10, 2023. A final version of the feasibility report will be submitted by DOE and PNNL in May.

The Marpi Landfill has been powered by diesel generators since the landfill began accepting solid waste in 2003. Identifying and implementing sustainable and resilient ways to power the landfill is critical as the CNMI works to reduce climate pollution and achieve environmentally compliant and sustainable waste management systems.

Resilient and feasible alternative energy options that are currently being assessed by DOE and PNNL include solar and wind systems with battery energy storage systems. The purchase of additional diesel generators to provide redundancy for the other clean energy systems is also being assessed as a possible alternative.

After assessing the final report and the power supply options presented, the Inter-island Solid Waste Management Taskforce (ISWTF)—which is coordinated by the Office of Planning and Development (OPD) in partnership with the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ), Department of Public Works (DPW), and the Offices of the Mayors— will decide on which approach to long-term power solution best meets landfill operation requirements and will move forward.

“The Marpi Landfill is the CNMI's only [Resource Conservation and Recovery Act]-compliant landfill, and it's crucial that it operates in a way that is sustainable environmentally and economically. OPD and the ISWTF will continue to work closely with DOE and PNNL on this study, and we all look forward to receiving the final report”, said OPD Acting Director Christopher A. Concepcion.

During the week, the DOE and PNNL representatives toured the Marpi Landfill, assessed existing alternative energy systems at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation's (CHCC) solar photovoltaic parking structures, the DPW Division of Energy office, and Marianas High School

(MHS); met with Commonwealth Utilities Corporation's (CUC) Deputy Executive Director Dr. Dallas Peavey; and briefed the ISWTF on the current state of the study and the path ahead.

This feasibility study and next steps for the Marpi Landfill are in line with goals for the CNMI identified in the 2021-2030 CNMI Comprehensive Sustainable Development Plan.

The existing alternative energy systems found at CHCC, the Division of Energy office, and MHS and the alternative energy options being explored for the Marpi Landfill are all pieces that align with Sustainable Develpment Goal (SDG) #7's overarching goal to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. The overarching goal of SDG #12 is to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. The ISWTF oversees the CNMI's progress towards achieving SDG #12, and making sure that the Marpi Landfill can sustainably continue operations is a crucial piece to achieving SDG #12.

Learn more about the SDGs and the ten-year strategic plan for more sustainable and resilient development in the CNMI in the Comprehensive Sustainable Development Plan, found here: https://opd.gov.mp/assets/2021-2030_cnmi_csdp.pdf.