Governor Benigno R. Fitial yesterday signed House Bill 17-38 which will allow the use of modern nuclear technology to generate power in the CNMI.
The commonwealth of Northern Marianas can now use a “nuclear battery” that can address the islands’ perennial power problems.
Governor Benigno R. Fitial yesterday signed House Bill 17-38 which will allow the use of modern nuclear technology to generate power in the CNMI.
Introduced by Rep. Stanley Torres, Ind.-Saipan, H.B. 17-38 is now Public Law 17-10. It will amend the Nuclear and Chemical Free Zone Act of 1983, allowing the commonwealth to use small modular nuclear reactors to run the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s power plants.
These “nuclear batteries,” Mr Torres said, are eco-friendly and involve “exceptional safety measures.”
They are economical to install and operate and will benefit the CNMI without compromising the safety and health of its people, he added.
Mr Fitial said H.B. 17-38 is much needed legislation as it will alleviate the worsening power situation in the CNMI.
He said these nuclear batteries have a life span of 10 years and are now being used in Japan.
According to Mr Fitial, Nokia, the company that manufactures the nuclear battery, has already been communicating with him.
There is also another firm that is interested to work with the CNMI government to conduct studies on the use of modern power generation technology, he said.
The company wants Saipan to be the model in the Pacific for nuclear power generation, he added.
To find ways to reduce reliance on fossil fuel, his administration will never tire of looking for alternative energy sources, Mr Fitial said.
Mr Torres said since 2006, his office has been following the progress of the use of nuclear power in the periodicals he gets monthly. With the help of his legislative assistant, Jack Angello, Mr Torres said he conducted a research on the use of a special type of “passive” nuclear power.
This is not the kind of nuclear power that many people are anxious about, the lawmaker said. “It’s been quite a journey to finally have this law, in order to open the doors to a better future for the commonwealth,” Mr Torres added.
Now that the bill has been signed into law, he said the commonwealth is ready to “take the next step to a modern future of safe and secure nuclear power.”
SOURCE: MARIANAS VARIETY/PACNEWS
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