US Territories’ April 8-14, 2019 news week in tweets

by Apr 15, 2019News Week in Tweets0 comments

Puerto Rico’s Energy Future is up for debate

As Puerto Rico continues to recover in the wake of Hurricane Maria the islands’ energy future remains uncertain. With sides colliding over whether to bolster Puerto Rico’s renewable or fossil fuel-based energy systems.

Congress Heads to Two-Week Break Leaving Puerto Rico in Limbo

Congress heads to a two-week break without signing a multi-billion-dollar aid package to help disaster-ravaged areas. The aid package would help throughout the mainland United States and Puerto Rico. As congressional gridlock continues communities all throughout the United States wait for the aid they need.

Puerto Rican Government projects Medical Marijuana to Generate $100 Million in Tax Revenue by 2020

The government and industry proponents project that the medical marijuana cannabis program could generate $100 million in new tax revenue by 2020. It is expected the growing industry could help create 20,000 jobs.

US service members who served on Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands Could Receive benefits

US service members who served on Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands could receive benefits for exposure to toxic herbicide. Originally the VA benefits had only been available to service members who served in Vietnam.

Guam Hosts US Department of the Interior Assistant over Department of Homeland Security Review

Governor Ralph Torres hosted US Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs, Doug Domenech and a federal delegation for the second meeting in a formal Section 902 Consultation process in regard to the Department of Homeland Security’s review of existing parole policies related to tourism.

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron HSC25 rescues two Guam fishermen after watercraft sinks

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron HSC25 rescues two Guam fishermen after watercraft sinks off the east coast of Guam, April 11. The incident was the ninth emergency call to HSC-25 by U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam, the fourth in three weeks, and marks seven recoveries during search and rescue and medical evacuations in 2019.

A unilateral move by Samoa could significantly affect air travel in the neighboring US territory of American Samoa

Samoa withdrew as a party to the Multilateral Agreement on the Liberalization of International Air Transportation (MALIAT) which terminate its open-skies relationship with the US as a multilateral partner. The US was informed of the information through diplomatic channels. Brian J. Hedberg, director of USDOT’s Office of International Aviation, said that the withdrawal became effective after a year on March 9, 2019.