The pohnpei utilities corporation (PUC) is granted $136,145.00 in maintenance assistance program (map) funding to support the sustainability and operational effectiveness of its tree trimming division

The Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs awarded $136,145.00 to Pohnpei Utilities Corporation (PUC) on November 3, 2025, under the Economic, Social, and Political Development of the Territories program (CFDA 15.875). Funded through the Maintenance Assistance Program (MAP), this Project Grant supports the operational sustainability and effectiveness of PUC's Tree Trimming Division, which maintains reliability and safety across Pohnpei's power distribution network spanning over 200 miles of distribution lines.

The grant funds the procurement of essential equipment and vehicles to replace aging assets and enhance field operations for PUC's ten mobile tree trimming teams. Specific deliverables include five new double cab flatbed trucks, five portable tree shredders, ten chainsaws, and five portable power stations. These assets enable the division to perform daily vegetation clearance, prevent outages, reduce fire hazards, and preserve infrastructure integrity. The project also supports the sustainability of OIA's long-standing Pacific Lineman Training Project. The award has a project completion date of September 30, 2029.

This division plays a vital role in maintaining the reliability and safety of pohnpei?S power distribution network by preventing outages, reducing fire hazards, and preserving infrastructure integrity. With over 200 miles of distribution lines across the island, PUC?S ten mobile tree trimming teams require dependable transportation, power sources, and equipment to perform daily vegetation clearance. The requested funds will be used to procure five new double CAB flatbed trucks, five portable tree shredders, ten chainsaws, and five portable power stations?essential assets to replace aging equipment and enhance field operations. The project aligns with the support of OIA for the long standing pacific lineman training project, and supports sustainability of that project as well.