Navy solar project on Guam put on hold

Hagatna - The US Navy's proposal to lease Guam property for a solar power project has been put on hold.

Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo announced Wednesday that she had halted the proposal. She cited concerns over how the project would impact a Navy plan to reduce its overall footprint on the island, The Pacific Daily News reported.

The Navy is looking to lease property in south Finegayan and the former Tumon Tank Farm to build a solar power system. The project is not directly related to the military build-up.

Bordallo said any proposal seeking additional land use should be in line with the Navy's "net-negative" strategy, which calls for more efficient use of land already owned by the Department of Defence and a smaller footprint on Guam.

Governor Eddie Calvo has raised similar concerns about leasing additional land for the proposal. He asked Bordallo to put the project on hold before any action is taken.

Bordallo notified Calvo in a letter on Tuesday of her plans to halt the proposal, saying she fully supports the Navy's efforts to develop the island's capacity for sustainable energy.

However, she said, "it is critical for DOD to engage with local leaders to ensure that our community's concerns are considered and adequately addressed as we move forward."