WAPA Board Approves Training For Lineman Department; Hurricane Preparedness Workshop Planned For Late August

The governing board of the Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority took action Thursday to ensure that a robust inventory of electric system materials is available on-island for storm response, the utility made known via release. An approved consignment contract with American Wire Group is capped at $5.5 million.  The board also approved a $3 million purchase of materials and supplies for the electrical distribution system.

Other approved items included:

• A training contract with Electric Cities of Georgia totaling $245,300. The company will provide monthly training and safety services for Line Department personnel territory-wide. A portion of a recently awarded Department of Interior grant will be used to underwrite the training costs.
• A time extension and cost increase to a contract with Rockwell Automation for testing and professional technical services relative to air quality and emission controls at the two power plants. The cost increase totals $279,046.39 and the contract extension is until November 1, 2018.
• A contract increase of $1.1 million for the purchase of additional emissions monitoring equipment for a new generating unit on St. Croix, and extension of the contract with Teledyne Monitor Labs through March 15, 2022.
• A time extension and cost increase to an existing contract for air quality performance testing at the Richmond power plant.  The continued work by Southern Air Solution Corp., Teledyne Monitor labs, and work previously performed by Rockwell Automation, are all requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as regards air quality testing and monitoring.
• A time extension and cost increase to an existing contract for design and engineering upgrades of fire protection systems at both power plants. The additional cost of $33,788 represents remobilization and extension of the contract date through September 30, 2018.
• Authorization for WAPA to enter into a contract with BDO to audit FY 2017 financial statements of the electric & water systems.

All votes were unanimous.

According to the release, in his monthly report to the board, Executive Director Lawrence Kupfer announced plans for an upcoming workshop in late August funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The workshop will be jointly hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy, the American Public Power Association and WAPA, and will focus on hurricane preparedness and recovery.

“This workshop will bring together federal and local agencies, as well as private sector stakeholders to develop specific improvements in preparedness and emergency response,” Mr. Kupfer said. He also told the board that power generation increased by approximately 8.5 percent from May to June and that potable water inventories fell on St. Croix as the reverse osmosis plant intake was impacted by sargassum accumulation. The issue has been resolved through increased inspections and maintenance, according to the release.

As the final order of business, board members voted unanimously to re-elect Elizabeth Armstrong as board chair, and Juanita Young as board secretary. Hubert Turnbull was elected as vice-chairman. The terms are for one year. Other board members in attendance today included Gerald T. Groner, Esq. Noel Loftus, Cheryl Boynes Jackson and Commissioner Nelson Petty, Jr. Commissioner Devin Carrington and Director Marvin Pickering were excused.