Bryan Seeks SNAP Food Replacement Assistance After WAPA Outages, Says New Generation Will Take Time

ST. THOMAS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has directed the Department of Human Services to pursue federal assistance for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients who lost food during days of widespread power outages on St. Thomas and St. John, while acknowledging residents' frustration and warning that bringing additional generating capacity online will take time. The administration announced the initiative Sunday, following a series of power failures that disrupted households, businesses, schools and government operations across the district. Although WAPA reported that all electrical feeders had been restored by approximately 11:35 p.m. Saturday, the utility advised that isolated customer outages could remain. In a letter dated Friday, October 23, Human Services Commissioner Averil George requested documentation from WAPA Chief Executive Officer Karl Knight detailing the power interruptions that began Wednesday, October 21. The department specifically asked WAPA to confir...