Guam State Clearinghouse - “Latest News”

Acting Secretary of the Navy B.J. Penn has sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in support of the recent grant application submitted by the Government of Guam to the USDA.
In recent months, the government of Guam has been actively seeking the support of key government officials regarding the USDA grant application. If the grant is awarded to Guam, the funding will be applied towards the construction of a new landfill.
In a letter addressed to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Secretary Penn requested support and approval of the federal government for the grant application.
A release from the Governor’s office quotes the letter in which Penn writes: “I strongly request your support and approval of the Government of Guam’s grant application under Title 1 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, for a new municipal solid waste landfill facility and related infrastructure improvement projects.”
“Both Congress and the Interagency Task Force have agreed that Guam’s civilian infrastructure must be improved to meet the requirements of the increased civilian and military population.”
Secretary Penn stated further in the letter, “Without Federal support and assistance, Guam is constrained in its ability to fund the new landfill.”
Acting Governor Mike Cruz is quoted in the release as saying that “I am pleased that, with the military buildup quickly approaching, Secretary Penn has recognized our island’s need to address the landfill crisis and how this issue affects the growth and development of Guam’s infrastructure,” said Acting Governor Cruz. “Once we resolve the closure of Ordot dump and the opening of a new solid waste facility, we will be able to focus more of our efforts and attention to improving and upgrading other critical service areas in our community.”

Ref: Pacificnewscenter,14 May 2009.