By THOMAS JOHNSON - JOURNAL STAFF
On Sept. 24, Gov. Edward B. Calvo will convene with members of Guam's
alternative energy community at the Guam Energy Office to acknowledge and
approve the Guam Renewable Energy Association as an entity for positive
change on the island.
Eulogio S. "Shawn" Gumataotao, an associate member of GREA, said the
association is composed of local business owners and professionals whose
primary businesses lie within the fields of renewable energy and energy
efficiency. "It was a way to help spread the voice of the industry, as well
as giving the island a big push to begin this effort to go away from fossil
fuels and move toward more renewable sources of energy."
The organization, which is presided over by Micronesian Renewable Energy
Inc. vice president Jeffrey Voacolo, has been meeting unofficially for four
to five months, according to Gumataotao, but only in early August
established itself as an official entity. "It's fully incorporated, and
we've established a board of directors, made up of our private sector
leaders in this industry," Gumataotao said. Voacolo could not be reached
for comment, as he was off-island overseeing an MREI project in Pohnpei.
Alfred K. Lam, president and CEO of Green Energy Solutions Inc. and
vice-president of GREA, said that the group currently boasts about 26
members from various private and public entities, including William Hagen,
director of Pacific Solar & Photovoltaics Inc., and is working alongside
the Guam Energy Office and the Consolidated Commission on Utilities to move
the renewable energy industry forward.
In addition to providing the renewable energy industry with a voice,
Gumataotao and Lam agreed that the primary purpose of the organization is
to police the industry and set standards to ensure that all installations
are done right and performed in accordance to proper safety and business
procedures, as well as the rules and regulations established by the Guam
Power Authority.
On Sept. 24, Gov. Edward B. Calvo will convene with members of Guam's
alternative energy community at the Guam Energy Office to acknowledge and
approve the Guam Renewable Energy Association as an entity for positive
change on the island.
Eulogio S. "Shawn" Gumataotao, an associate member of GREA, said the
association is composed of local business owners and professionals whose
primary businesses lie within the fields of renewable energy and energy
efficiency. "It was a way to help spread the voice of the industry, as well
as giving the island a big push to begin this effort to go away from fossil
fuels and move toward more renewable sources of energy."
The organization, which is presided over by Micronesian Renewable Energy
Inc. vice president Jeffrey Voacolo, has been meeting unofficially for four
to five months, according to Gumataotao, but only in early August
established itself as an official entity. "It's fully incorporated, and
we've established a board of directors, made up of our private sector
leaders in this industry," Gumataotao said. Voacolo could not be reached
for comment, as he was off-island overseeing an MREI project in Pohnpei.
Alfred K. Lam, president and CEO of Green Energy Solutions Inc. and
vice-president of GREA, said that the group currently boasts about 26
members from various private and public entities, including William Hagen,
director of Pacific Solar & Photovoltaics Inc., and is working alongside
the Guam Energy Office and the Consolidated Commission on Utilities to move
the renewable energy industry forward.
In addition to providing the renewable energy industry with a voice,
Gumataotao and Lam agreed that the primary purpose of the organization is
to police the industry and set standards to ensure that all installations
are done right and performed in accordance to proper safety and business
procedures, as well as the rules and regulations established by the Guam
Power Authority.
For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/.