Senator Donna Frett-Gregory By. VI LEGISLATURE
A bill that was supposed to require that the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority suspend its disconnection policy until June 1, or as long as Governor Albert Bryan's state of emergency declaration remains in place as a way to provide relief to V.I. residents during the coronavirus pandemic, was pulled from the agenda during today's session at the last minute.
The measure, sponsored by Senators Alicia Barnes and Donna Frett-Gregory, represented a ray of hope for many struggling Virgin Islanders, and it came as a relief to those who have expressed difficulty in paying their bills following WAPA's 60-day billing announcement.
But without warning, the measure was pulled from the agenda, with Ms. Frett-Gregory attempting to explain why. (Sen. Alicia Barnes was blocked from participating in the session, as Senate President Novelle Francis and others contended that the Revised Organic Act calls for sessions to be held in the territory's capital. Ms. Barnes along with Senator Allison DeGazon attempted to participate remotely from St. Croix, but a motion to wave the rules failed, as not a single senator supported it. A full story is forthcoming Saturday morning.)
Ms. Frett-Gregory said the bill needed additional work, and that the Legislature has been short staffed because of the coronavirus.
"I do not want to be one that will be looked at as irresponsible once this bill is passed," Ms. Frett-Gregory said. "We have to give consideration to the fact that WAPA has a number of bonds. They have suppliers, etc, and we don't want to send the wrong message to these people."
Mrs. Frett-Gregory said she spoke to WAPA board chairman, Anthony Thomas, today and he relayed that the board understands the current circumstances Virgin Islanders are facing, and that "there should be no concern in regards to that (power disconnection) during this time," Ms. Frett-Gregory said.
The about turn from Ms. Frett-Gregory came a surprise. Earlier this month, she railed against WAPA and spoke about the need to rein in the utility after WAPA announced its 60-day billing cycle.
"It is clear that WAPA don't have any regards for the customers here in these Virgin Islands. The Legislature has met with them several times and we have yet to get a straight answer from WAPA."
She added, "They can't bill people sixty days all at once for their incompetence. I want to make that clear. This AMI system that they purchased, they need to come back to the vendor and address that issue. WAPA is out of control. I'm so upset this afternoon. All they're going to be doing is creating anxiety for the consumers here in the Virgin Islands. Elderly people who are going to be impacted by this. We have people who are on fixed incomes. They cannot make an arbitrary decision like this absent of consulting the community. They just can't do it. Because of their incompetence? I' m so upset."
