Government leaders in the Pacific Islands and energy experts from the United States were attending an energy symposium in the Northern Marianas to develop a holistic approach to energy challenges.

Over 60 participants registered on the three-day Pacific Island Energy Symposium which opened on Thursday.

The meeting has been organized by the Northern Marianas College and the U.S. Department of Energy Office.

Philip Voss, senior project leader for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, said one goal is to reduce the importation of fossil fuel and provide a range of renewable energy alternatives.

Discussions have focused on case studies, like the integrated deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy in U.S. Virgin Islands and Hawaii's clean energy initiative.