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Aumua Announces EPA Grant Award for New Generator

October 23, 2015

Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $42,201 to the American Samoa Power Authority under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act(DERA) program.

"These funds are greatly appreciated and will be put to good use. I am pleased that the EPA has recognized the need for a new generator on Ofu, that will not only provide a more reliable source of power, but is also environmentally responsible," said Amata.

The funds will be used to replace the current diesel generator with an all-electric replacement on the Island of Ofu. By switching to an all-electric generator, it will reduce the consumption of diesel fuel used to generate power on the island by 75,000 gallons annually.

The DERA program is administered by EPA's West Coast Collaborative, a clean air partnership which leverages public and private funds from the Pacific Southwest and Pacific Northwest Regions to reduce emissions from the most polluting diesel sources.

"I want to thank the EPA and those here in American Samoa who worked so diligently to ensure that our island received these essential funds. Their hard work and dedication to the improvement of our beautiful island is to be commended and I look forward to seeing the new generator in operation," concluded Amata.

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