Governor Bryan, 33rd Legislature Identify Funding to Resume Supply of Propane Gas to WAPA

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — During a follow-up meeting Monday at Government House, Governor Albert Bryan Jr., Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach and all 15 senators of the 33rd Legislature, have identified funding to meet the V.I. Water and Power Authority’s outstanding obligation to its propane supplier, Vitol.

The Legislature has scheduled an Emergency Legislative session for Friday, December 27, 2019, at 10 a.m. to vote on the measure to reappropriate $6 million from the Miscellaneous section of the Fiscal Year 2020 budget.

The appropriation measure will assist WAPA in meeting its financial obligation to Vitol for December 2019 and January 2020.

Governor Bryan emphasized on Monday that the immediate need is centered on assisting WAPA to move from diesel fuel back to the less expensive propane gas, but a long-term solution to addressing the authority’s debt to Vitol remains a top priority.

“Not being on propane fuel costs us about $200,000 a day,” Governor Bryan said. “The Senate has agreed to reappropriate funds from the Miscellaneous part of the budget to give WAPA the immediate cash they need.”

Prior to Monday’s meeting, Governor Bryan also requested that the lawmakers work alongside his Administration to develop a long-term solution to addressing WAPA’s mounting debt, which includes supporting an adjustment in the utility’s base rate.

Senators agreed to work with the Administration on a long-term solution, which includes possibly developing legislation to ensure the funds generated from a base rate adjustment are used for its intended purpose.

Governor Bryan said Monday that his administration and the Legislature have agreed that WAPA needs to fulfill its obligations to the ratepayers by making needed improvements to its management structure and by resolving costly billing discrepancies.

“We agreed to work together to hold WAPA accountable to the people. Many questions have been posed that need to be answered,” Governor Bryan said. “Our intent is to create a solution that is well thought-out and holds WAPA accountable. Our goal, always, is to have a more reliable and affordable power grid.”