A tense exchange in a Congressional hearing between NMI Del. Gregorio Sablan and the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular and International Affairs. Sablan pressing Carmen Cantor on the lack of progress on energy plans for the CNMI.

NMI Del. Gregorio Sablan pressed Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen Cantor about the energizing insular communities program.

"I'm not satisfied with the way your office administers this program. Insular Affairs Director …testified here a few weeks ago that the purpose of the energizing insular communities is to help, underscore help, the insular areas develop energy strategies," he said.

Sablan said the goal is to reduce reliance on expensive foreign oil and increase domestic energy production. He sponsored the now public law that outlines that responsibility.

"If OIA provided the plans and the technical and financial expertise as public law 113-235 directs, will you Madam Secretary, will you commit to following the law?" he said.

Cantor replied, "Yes, we commit to following the law, always.

Sablan appeared frustrated by the response, saying, "You haven't been for you for several years now. Madam Secretary, I'm asking you, please. This is really important. You know, people in my district are paying close to $0.50 an hour for one kilowatt of electricity. It's in the 30, 40, $0.40 range. Before you give out the money, the plan was to build a plan for energy in the insular areas. You haven't done that. You've given out grants. I mean, you know, Santa Claus does that on Christmas. You haven't done that just for will you follow the law? Because it's on record. The law, as written by Donna Christensen and I will your office follow the law, please."

Cantor said, "Delegate, we follow the law."