Op-Ed: Proa’s Promise: Why the Marianas Need Digital Rights, Renewable Power and Food Sovereignty Now
While Washington debates budgets and war games, people in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are worrying about groceries, rebuilding homes and keeping the lights on. In April the U.S. Department of War acknowledged that the CNMI faces mounting fiscal strain and warned that economic instability in the islands could undermine America’s strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific. A month later, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce braced residents for a 20-hour workweek as the government struggles to stretch a FY2027 budget of just $101.9 million, leaving only $101.9 million for appropriations after fixed obligations. The CNMI’s precarious economy, still reeling from Super Typhoon Sinlaku and the lingering impacts of pandemic era tourism collapse, is threatening not only livelihoods but also the very infrastructure that supports U.S. power projection in the western Pacific.
Op-Ed: The CNMI Must Organize Now on Deep Sea Mining
Recent reporting highlighted by Angelo Villagomez of the Center for American Progress and published in the Guam Daily Post should concern everyone in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Amata warns deep-sea mining could threaten fishing, culture as she presses company on timeline and profit-sharing
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Representative Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, who represents American Samoa, used her time in a House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing to underline strong local opposition to deep-sea mining near the territory and to press Impossible Metals on when its “green” technology could realistically be ready and what benefits would flow back to the people living closest to any offshore activity.
King-Hinds, Moylan press deep-sea mining executives on NEPA review, sediment plumes, and island consultation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds and Guam Delegate James C. Moylan used their time in a House Natural Resources Committee hearing segment to challenge deep-sea mining companies on environmental safeguards, permitting, and what meaningful consultation with island communities would actually look like.
King-Hinds calls 2026 ‘Mount 2026’ as CNMI faces critical challenges
SAIPAN — U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds framed 2026 as a critical year for the commonwealth Fridayday as it faces mounting economic pressures and federal scrutiny.
Guam Governor Leon Guerrero: Deep Sea Mining Revenue Sharing “An Insult” to Pacific Islanders
Hagåtña, Guam — Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero is calling for revenue sharing equality with mainland coastal states as federal plans advance for deep sea mining in Marianas waters, warning that a voluntary one percent profit commitment from mining companies is “an insult” to Pacific territories.
Impossible Metals CEO Oliver Gunasekara Explains Deep Sea Mining Technology in Exclusive Interview
SAIPAN – The CEO of Impossible Metals addressed Northern Marianas community concerns about deep sea mining in an exclusive live interview on NMI News Service Thursday morning, following the regularly scheduled Good Morning Marianas broadcast. Oliver Gunasekara explained how his company’s robotic technology differs from traditional mining methods and outlined a timeline that stretches at least five years before any operations could begin.
Impossible Metals pitches profit-sharing seabed mining plan for CNMI to BOEM
SAIPAN — A U.S. seabed-mining startup has formally told federal regulators it wants to mine polymetallic nodules in waters east of the Northern Mariana Islands and is offering a profit share for the CNMI if leasing moves forward. In a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Impossible Metals CEO Oliver Gunasekara said the San Jose-based, Delaware-incorporated company is “affirm[ing] our commercial interest in a lease in this area” under BOEM’s Request for Information and Interest for offshore minerals in the CNMI exclusive economic zone, docket BOEM-2025-0351.
Friends of the Mariana Trench say deep-sea mining comment period disrespects Marianas communities
SAIPAN — The Friends of the Mariana Trench are criticizing the federal government’s handling of public input on a proposal to open waters off the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to potential deep-sea mining, calling the current comment schedule “rushed” and “disrespectful” to island communities.
BOEM extends public comment period on CNMI offshore critical minerals RFI to January 12
SAIPAN — Following calls for more time to gather data and prepare a response from elected and appointed officials throughout the Marianas, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has extended the public comment period on its Request for Information and Interest (RFI) for potential seabed critical minerals leasing offshore the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.