WASHINGTON, D.C. — When former Gov. Felix Camacho met with high-ranking federal officials in 2010 to discuss the military buildup, the Department of Defense responded by spending $122 million to upgrade the Northern District Wastewater Treatment Plant.
That project not only supported the new Marine Corps base in Dededo, but also allowed the Guam Waterworks Authority to meet federal pollution standards without raising costs for ratepayers.
Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio says it’s time for the federal government’s Economic Adjustment Committee — chaired by the Secretary of Defense — to meet again to address Guam’s buildup-related needs. He made the case during a Sept. 4 meeting at the Department of the Interior headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Guam Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio represented Guam at the annual meeting of the Interagency Group on Insular Affairs Sept. 4 in Washington, D.C. Photo by Steve Limtiaco/My Jungle Rules
Tenorio represented Guam at the annual meeting of the Interagency Group on Insular Affairs, which collects information from U.S. territories and makes recommendations to the President.
In his statement to the group, Tenorio:
Renewed Guam’s request for a $400 million partnership to build a new civilian hospital;
Called for more support to offset the cost of hosting regional migrants;
Sought federal funding for environmental protection, historic preservation, universal broadband, rural health and radiation exposure programs; and
Urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to convene the Economic Adjustment Committee for Guam.
The EAC brings together 22 federal agencies to aid communities affected by military activity. For Guam, that includes the ongoing $12 billion expansion that has added a new Marine Corps base, training ranges, air facilities at Northwest Field, and port improvements.
The committee can offer grants, loan guarantees and other assistance to help communities cope with such impacts. Tenorio said Guam would ask for help with infrastructure upgrades and affordable housing, and noted the EAC’s backing could strengthen the island’s chances in competitive grant programs, such as the Port Authority’s bid for new federally funded cranes.
As one example of infrastructure needs, Tenorio said putting more of Guam’s power lines underground would strengthen the grid against storms and speed recovery. He pointed to Typhoon Mawar, when the Guam Power Authority was able to provide uninterrupted service to military bases that had underground systems.
Tenorio added that members of Congress, including Guam Del. James Moylan and Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, have been advocating for an EAC meeting.
“I don't think it's a question of whether or not it's going to be convened,” Tenorio said. “I think it's probably going to be a question of when.”