OIA Press Releases (2020 to Present)
Interior Secretary Zinke Applauds President Trump’s Nomination of Doug Domenech as Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Interior Department veteran Douglas William Domenech as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Areas.
Interior Provides Guam with FY 2017 Grant Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 23, 2017) – This week Interior Acting Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Nikolao Pula made available $516,031 from Technical Assistance grant funding for the benefit of several programs that are identified as priority needs by Guam Governor Eddie Calvo.
Secretary Zinke Announces $3.5 Million in Energy Grants for American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas and U.S. Virgin Islands
WHITEFISH, MT (June 27, 2017) – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke today informed American Samoa Governor Lolo Moliga, Guam Governor Eddie Calvo, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Governor Ralph DLG Torres that he has approved a total of $3,489,427 in energy grants for their respective territories. The Secretary and the Governors were attending the Western Governors Association meeting in Montana. In addition the Secretary announced energy grants for the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).
U.S. Provided $34.8 Million in Compact Grants to the Federated States of Micronesia for First Half of Fiscal Year 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 21, 2017) – In compliance with the Compact of Free Association agreement (Compact) between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the U.S. Department of the Interior has remitted $34.8 million in assistance for the benefit of the people and government of the FSM for the first half of fiscal year 2017. An additional deposit of $29.5 million was made to the Trust Fund for the People of the Federated States of Micronesia at the beginning of the fiscal year and $500,000 was provided for the annual single audit, as required under U.S. Public Law 108-188.
Interior Releases $7.8 Million in Remaining FY2017 Operational Funding for American Samoa
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 12, 2017) – This week the Office of Insular Affairs released $7.8 million remaining in grant assistance for fiscal year 2017 to the American Samoa Government through the Office of Insular Affairs’ (OIA) Operations Grant Program. These funds are what remained of the annual $22.75 million needed to support the daily operations of the American Samoa Government, the LBJ Tropical Medical Center, the American Samoa Community College, and the High Court of American Samoa. The purpose of this program, as mandated by Congress, is to fund the difference between budget needs and local revenue and remains constant each year to support government operations.
Interior Funding Powers Utilities in Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 8, 2017) – Interior Acting Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Nikolao Pula this week made available $380,447 in maintenance assistance funding from the Office of Insular Affairs to support two regional initiatives and one local initiative that support and bolster capacity for the power utilities in all main islands of the Pacific U.S. insular areas.
USVI Governor Meets with Interior Officials Receives Grants for the U.S. Virgin Islands
USVI Governor Meets with Interior Officials Receives Grants for the U.S. Virgin Islands to Study Potential for Food and Agricultural Manufacturing, Improve Water Repair and Distribution Services and Increase Safety in Prisons
U.S. Provides $6.5 Million in Compact Infrastructure Grants for the Republic of the Marshall Islands
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 2, 2017) – Acting Assistant Secretary Nikolao Pula has made available $6,460,739 for infrastructure projects under the Compact of Free Association between the U.S. and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The funds will support school construction on Majuro and Ebeye islands and make improvements to the Wellness Center kitchen at the hospital in Majuro. They also fund a variety of other projects on Ebeye.
Interior Provides Grant Funding to American Samoa
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 30, 2017) – Acting Assistant Secretary Nikolao Pula today made available $212,800 in technical assistance funding from the Office of Insular Affairs to support three initiatives supported by American Samoa Governor Lolo Moliga that will improve critical health care services in the territory.
President Proposes $591.9 Million FY18 Budget for the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 23, 2017) – President Donald Trump today proposed $591.9 million for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) for the benefit of the U.S. Territories of Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Freely Associated States of the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands through the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA). The budget request for OIA includes $84.3 million in discretionary appropriations and $507.6 million in mandatory funding. Additionally, the budget requests $123.9 million of discretionary Department of Defense appropriations to be transferred to the Department of the Interior to support enactment of the 2010 Compact Review Agreement with Palau. The Palau Compact is an important element of the Pacific national security strategy.