527 Eligible Virgin Islanders Apply on Opening Day for Initiative Administered Through the Virgin Islands Energy Office
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — The Bryan-Roach Administration, through the Virgin Islands Energy Office, announced today that 527 eligible Virgin Islands residents applied on the first day for emergency backup battery systems through the Virgin Islands Resiliency Gateway, or VIRG, Program. Created by the Bryan-Roach Administration and administered by the Virgin Islands Energy Office, the program helps protect medically vulnerable residents by providing emergency backup power during power outages caused by hurricanes and other emergencies.
The strong response demonstrates the need for reliable backup power for residents who depend on critical medical equipment. It also validates the Administration’s decision to launch the program ahead of the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season so vulnerable residents would be better prepared before severe weather threatens the Territory.
Registration was open to full-time Virgin Islands residents who are 60 years of age or older and rely on critical electrically powered medical equipment. The program reached its current enrollment capacity before the close of business on opening day.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said the Administration created the VIRG Program because preparing residents before disasters strike is one of the most important responsibilities of government.
“A hurricane does not wait until we are ready, and neither should we. That is why our Administration created the VIRG Program and made it a priority before the height of hurricane season. For many medically vulnerable Virgin Islanders, losing electricity is not simply an inconvenience. It can become a life-threatening emergency. Through the Virgin Islands Energy Office, we developed this program to give families greater peace of mind and to help ensure they can continue powering essential medical equipment when they need it most. The response we saw on the very first day tells us we identified a real need and delivered a solution that will help protect lives.”
Virgin Islands Energy Office Director Kyle D. Fleming said the response confirms the importance of the initiative.
“We expected strong interest in the VIRG Program, but receiving 527 applications on the first day exceeded our expectations. The response confirms that this Bryan-Roach Administration initiative, implemented through the Virgin Islands Energy Office, is meeting an important need for medically vulnerable residents and their families. It also reinforces the importance of continuing to invest in programs that improve energy resilience throughout the Virgin Islands.”
Registration opened on Aug. 3, and all available battery systems for this phase of the program were spoken for before the close of business. The Virgin Islands Energy Office is no longer accepting applications during the current enrollment period. Residents who picked up an application but did not submit it on Aug. 3 are asked not to return completed applications because no additional applications can be accepted at this time.
The Virgin Islands Energy Office will now review submitted applications, verify medical eligibility and coordinate battery distribution for approved applicants. Residents who submitted applications will be contacted directly if additional information is needed.
The VIRG Program is part of the Bryan-Roach Administration’s broader effort to strengthen hurricane preparedness and improve energy resilience throughout the Virgin Islands. Through the Virgin Islands Energy Office, the Administration has distributed 234 portable backup battery systems to medically vulnerable households, provided 80 additional systems to Continuum Care Hospice & Home Health to support patients across the Territory, and supplied additional battery units to the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency to strengthen emergency response operations during hurricanes and other disasters.
Each battery system includes a portable backup battery and a 400-watt solar panel that can power essential medical equipment and help keep medications refrigerated during power outages. Together, these investments are helping ensure that vulnerable residents, health care providers and emergency responders are better prepared before, during and after severe weather.
The Virgin Islands Energy Office thanks residents for their strong interest in the program and their patience as staff begin reviewing applications and preparing for battery distribution.
Updates on the application review process and battery distribution will be posted on the Virgin Islands Energy Office website and its official social media pages.
For more information, visit energy.vi.gov/virg.
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