Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Lt Gov Talauega E. V. Ale in his capacity as acting governor, alongside the American Samoa Committees for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), held a meeting with key representatives from the White House and the Department of Interior on November 7, 2023.

The discussion revolved around critical BIL and IRA projects, with a primary focus on shoreline and road initiatives.

Director Gretchen Sierra-Zorita, who leads the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for Puerto Rico and the Territories, emphasized the importance of understanding the unique challenges and complexities faced by the territories.

She stressed the need for greater territorial cooperation and cross-cutting solutions to address these issues.

During the meeting, Director Lisa Tuatoo of the Office of Disaster Assistance and Petroleum Management (ODAPM), serving as the American Samoa BIL coordinator, provided an overview of the Territory’s projects and challenges related to BIL and IRA.

Director Gretchen and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Keone Nakoa, together with OIA Field Representative Lydia Faleafine-Nomura, will be visiting various project sites around the island, including the Aunu’u Island Seawalls, Tula Elementary School, and the Tula/Alao Villages Shoreline Protection projects, and more.

This visit represents a crucial step towards enhancing collaboration and understanding between the territories and the White House, fostering progress in critical infrastructure and economic development efforts for American Samoa.

Acting Governor Talauega extended his gratitude to the visiting officials for their presence in the territory, emphasizing the unique opportunity for American Samoa to present its projects and seek their support in addressing the challenges it currently faces.