ACROSS the Cabras power station in Piti yesterday, the island’s democratic leadership and candidates signed a resolution signifying their commitment to Guam Power Authority’s plan to explore diversified fuel sources.

This included use of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, as outlined in the Integrated Resource Plan adopted by the Consolidated Commission on Utilities.

The IRP, which is currently being revamped, incorporates exploring alternative energy sources to relieve the rising cost of power on-island. These measures include adopting renewable energy such as solar and wind, as well as alternative fuel sources such as LNG.

A resolution drawn up by the Democrats state that the democratic leadership and candidates “recognize that residual fuel oil cost for electricity generation cost the people of Guam about $300 million annually, with the price of electricity rising approximately 300 percent from about $.05/kwh in 2003 to about $0.19/kwh in 2012.”

According to the resolution, LNG presents “an opportunity for a cheaper and stable energy source for Guam.”

The democratic leadership and candidates, the resolution further noted, “recognize that support of LNG and alternative energy sources can realize over $1 billion in savings over the next 30 years and can lead to substantial consumer and business savings, spurring economic growth and ensuring the fiscal stability of public education, health, and safety resources.”

Speaker Judi Won Pat stressed the importance of endorsing this energy initiative, saying this is a “pocketbook issue” which could generate jobs and provide money back into Guam’s economy.

The resolution also noted several laws passed via the Democrats’ leadership in the Legislature such as Public Law 29-62, which “required tapping into renewables to decrease the island’s reliance on oil for energy production” and “Public Law 31-233, which provided rate relief to power consumers by authorizing the refinancing of GPA bonds.”

Moreover, the resolution also took note of Bill 230-31, “which would require all government of Guam buildings to be energy-efficient.”

The democratic leaders and candidates also expressed their commitment to “work with Guam Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo in encouraging the United States Department of Energy to extend federal renewable energy and energy-efficiency tax incentives to companies that will provide alternative renewable energy to Guam.”