---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 15891"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "15891"
heading: "Projects enhancing insular energy independence"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/15891"
units:
  - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs"
  - "Subchapter II — Renewable Energy"
  - "Part D — Insular Energy"
---

# §15891. Projects enhancing insular energy independence

- (a) **Project feasibility studies—**
  - (1) **In general—** On a request described in [paragraph (2)](#a-2), the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall conduct a feasibility study of a [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) to implement a strategy or [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) identified in the plans submitted to Congress pursuant to [section 1492 of title 48](/usc/48/1492.md) as having the potential to—
    - (A) significantly reduce the dependence of an [insular area](/usc/42/5204.md?p=1) on imported fossil fuels; or
    - (B) provide needed distributed generation to an [insular area](/usc/42/5204.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Request—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall conduct a feasibility study under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) on—
    - (A) the request of an electric utility located in an [insular area](/usc/42/5204.md?p=1) that commits to fund at least 10 percent of the cost of the study; and
    - (B) if the electric utility is located in the Federated [States](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2) of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau, written support for that request by the President or the Ambassador of the affected freely associated [state](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2).
  - (3) **Consultation—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall consult with regional utility organizations in—
    - (A) conducting feasibility studies under [paragraph (1)](#a-1); and
    - (B) determining the feasibility of potential [projects](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12).
  - (4) **Feasibility—** For the purpose of a feasibility study under [paragraph (1)](#a-1), a [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) shall be determined to be feasible if the [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) would significantly reduce the dependence of an [insular area](/usc/42/5204.md?p=1) on imported fossil fuels, or provide needed distributed generation to an [insular area](/usc/42/5204.md?p=1), at a reasonable cost.
- (b) **Implementation—**
  - (1) **In general—** On a determination by the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) (in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) of the Interior) that a [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) is feasible under [subsection (a)](#a) and a commitment by an electric utility to operate and maintain the [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12), the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) may provide such technical and financial assistance as the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) determines is appropriate for the implementation of the [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12).
  - (2) **Regional utility organizations—** In providing assistance under [paragraph (1)](#b-1), the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall consider providing the assistance through regional utility organizations.
- (c) **Authorization of appropriations—**
  - (1) **In general—** There are authorized to be appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4)—
    - (A) $500,000 for each fiscal year for [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) feasibility studies under [subsection (a)](#a); and
    - (B) $4,000,000 for each fiscal year for [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) implementation under [subsection (b)](#b).
  - (2) **Limitation of funds received by insular areas—** No [insular area](/usc/42/5204.md?p=1) may receive, during any 3-year period, more than 20 percent of the total funds made available during that 3-year period under subparagraphs [(A)](#c-1-A) and [(B)](#c-1-B) of paragraph (1) unless the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) determines that providing funding in excess of that percentage best advances existing opportunities to meet the objectives of this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–58, title II, § 252, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 682.)