Electric companies in the Northern Marianas will be required to produce at least 50 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2030 under a new law signed by Governor Benigno R. Fitial.
The new law sets deadlines for an electric utility to gradually increase the amount of alternative energy they produce, starting with 5 percent of the utility's net electricity sales by the end of December 2007.
The amount then rises in five steps reaching 50 percent by December 31 2030.
Any electric utility that fails to meet the standard is required to provide the regulating agency with a written explanation for such failure within 30 days after the goal date.
Currently the CNMI is served by only one utility firm, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation which lacks the finances to fund its fuel purchases and repair its generators.
