DEQ Monthly Cleanup Brigade Tank Beach Saturday Nov 2

(DEQ) - The Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Cleanup Brigade will be at it again picking up trash at Tank Beach in Kagman on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at 8 am.

If you would like to volunteer your time to clean and beautify our island, please meet the DEQ representatives on Saturday at the Tank Beach area/parking lot at 8 am. Volunteers will split into groups and clean until 10:00 am and break for drinks and then continue, if needed.

This month, outstanding brigade volunteers who participated in at least ten (10) monthly cleanups will receive a brigade cap and those who participated in at least three (3) cleanups will receive a brigade t-shirt.

Last month’s Makaka Beach Cleanup was successful with 64 volunteers participating. Thanks to, students from WSR Elementary, Hopwood Jr. High, Saipan Southern High, staff from CRM, and other volunteers about 700 pounds of trash was removed from the beach and properly disposed of.

The DEQ is looking forward to a repeat success this Saturday, so join DEQ’s monthly cleanup brigade and “Pick It Up!” Let us work together for the health of our coral reefs and cleanliness of our beaches for everyone to enjoy.

For more information about volunteering, please contact the DEQ office at 664-8500/1.

Officials consider alternative energy for schools
Thursday, 19 February 2009 00:00 By Junhan B. Todeno - Variety News Staff
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STUDENTS, school and government officials witnessed yesterday how the wind turbine operates at Saipan Southern High School and expressed confidence that this alternative energy will reduce the school’s monthly power bills.

The wind turbine stands tall on the campus of Southern Saipan High School yesterday. Photo by Junhan B. Todeno

The wind turbine stands tall on the campus of Southern Saipan High School yesterday. Photo by Junhan B. Todeno
Calling the project as a CNMI milestone, both Education Commissioner Rita Sablan and Board of Education Chairwoman Lucy Blanco-Maratita are hoping that all schools will soon have renewable energy sources.

“This is one of the ways we can conserve energy,” Sablan said.

The wind turbine will not only minimize the need for Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s power, it will also show that the school cares for the environment, Blanco-Mararita said.

She said BOE members have discussed adapting alternative energy sources to reduce the schools’ power bills.

SSHS vice principal Craig Garrison acknowledged the efforts of the Allied Pacific Environmental Consultant for installing the wind turbine on campus.

Robert Jordan, Allied Pacific Environmental Consultant program manager, said the wind turbine is still in the system test stage.

“This is a first in the Pacific and first time the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved a supplemental environmental project that utilizes renewable energy as a pilot project,” he said.

Jordan said the project was proposed to the school by the now defunct Concorde Garment Manufacturing Co. of Tan Holdings as an alternative means of settling the fines it owed to EPA for violations of its rules.

Senate President Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, said the project is highly recommended.

He attended yesterday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $90,000 Skystream 3.7 wind turbine and nine Kyocera 18V solar panels.

SSHS administrators, he said, should start thinking now where to install another wind turbine on their campus.

Reyes said he is hoping to see SSHS to have nine more wind turbines so it can entirely operate on renewable energy.

Tom Polevich, Allied Pacific Environmental Consulting president, said the project in CNMI a major step forward toward the future of alternative energy use in the commonwealth.

SSHS student government president Janina Maratita said the students are looking forward to seeing similar projects on campus.

Another busy weekend

The Marianas Class of 1983 took advantage of "Austerity Friday" to plant a Flame Tree at their old stomping grounds. This Flame Tree was #101 of the Beautify CNMI Adopt-a-Flame Tree Program.

I brought along a second tree and dedicated it to the MHS Class of 2011. That was Flame Tree #102.

On Saturday morning we helped Jeff Turbitt, an English teacher at Saipan Southern High School, paint his classroom. Jeff provided the paint and we provided the man power.

Java Joes provided the volunteers with a box full of cookies. Thanks, Rick Jones!

Tomorrow we have a cleanup of Isa Drive from the Botanical Garden down to San Vicente Elementary. We'll start at about 8 AM. Hope to see you there!

Koblerville Village Cleanup

Saipan Southern High School and the Board of Parole did an excellent job cleaning up the Village of Koblerville this morning. Thank you!

Rep. Kaipat will post pictures. I just wanted to share this little video I took.