American Samoa Power Authority
| Company type | Government-owned corporation |
|---|---|
| Industry | Utilities |
| Founded | October 1, 1981 |
| Founder | Peter T. Coleman |
| Headquarters | American Samoa |
Area served | American Samoa |
| Products | Electricity, water, wastewater management, waste disposal |
| Website | www |
The American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) operates as a government-owned public utility delivering electricity, water, wastewater management, and waste disposal services throughout American Samoa.
History
In response to recurrent power interruptions during the 1970s and 1980s caused by insufficient supply, Governor Peter T. Coleman created ASPA through an emergency executive order on October 1, 1981. Efforts to secure funding in Washington, DC resulted in an initial $1.5 million allocation, with additional advocacy by Governor Coleman and Congressman Fofó Iosefa Fiti Sunia leading to a 1982 congressional grant of $2 million from an $8 million request. ASPA appointed Jim Carrier as director, who focused on acquiring two substantial diesel generators to meet urgent electricity demands. Nevertheless, by 1985, the growing use of air conditioning contributed to renewed power shortages. New leadership in 1986 secured financing from the Rural Electric Authority and the Retirement Fund, which helped stabilize the utility’s operations. The following year, ASPA broadened its scope by assuming responsibility for the territory’s waste management services.
In 1995, the Department of the Interior provided American Samoa with a five-year grant aimed at creating a comprehensive master plan addressing sewer, water, roadways, and power infrastructure within Tuālāuta County. ASPA was awarded a $3.1 million grant from the EPA to initiate the first phase of the sewer system project on the Tafuna plains. The Port Development Master Plan was finalized, and by the year 2000, ASPA had consolidated control over all aspects of power generation and distribution, water supply networks, wastewater treatment, and solid waste disposal.
Confronted with financial challenges, the American Samoa Senate introduced legislation in 2008 proposing the dissolution of ASPA and transferring its assets to a newly formed American Samoa Utility Department under executive branch oversight. This proposal was ultimately rejected in March 2008.