PSC Questions WAPA’s Intentions as 800+ Net Billing Applications Remain Stalled

Members of the Public Services Commission learned that a myriad of delays have beset the net energy billing program, meant to encourage Virgin Islanders to adopt small scale solar power generation for homes and businesses. The delays, mainly ascribed to staffing issues at the Department of Planning and Natural Resources as well as at the Water and Power Authority, mean that of the 802 applications currently in the queue for the net billing program, none have received final approval. “At this point, the Energy Office did not give an explanation for that,” said Jamil Springer, Industrial Engineer for the PSC. “There are about 410 applications awaiting final inspection” from WAPA, with the other half in various earlier stages of the process awaiting review by DPNR. He noted that the Energy Office director is meeting with WAPA's chief executive as well as DPNR's director of building permits, and the parties are “trying to expedite these issues.” The V.I. Energy Office is exploring the ...