A Senate bill in American Samoa seeking to return the American Samoa Power Authority to government control has been defeated.
Ten votes were needed to pass the bill but only 9 senators voted to support it.
Senator Tuaolo Fruean said he opposed the bill because when the electric division was under the American Samoa Government, the power was off more often than on.
He said when it was on, power fluctuations damaged a lot of refrigerators.
According to Senator Tuaolo, those who are earning high incomes are taking steps to conserve power and cut down on their power bills.
But Senator Salanoa Aumoeualogo, who sponsored the bill, reminded that the Senate has been trying for the last three years to get ASPA to lower its electricity rates.
