Aerial shot of the Randolph Harley Power Plant in St. Thomas, USVI. By. ERNICE GILBERT, V.I. CONSORTIUM
Following Governor Albert Bryan's state of emergency declaration aimed at resolving the V.I. Water and Power Authority's longstanding myriad of financial issues, the V.I. Legislature announced its own press conference to address the WAPA crisis.
Governor Bryan took bold action on Monday, announcing that he would pay WAPA's debt of $11 million owed to several vendors, and take other important action in a bid to prevent the deepening of the territory's energy crisis. The government's rainy day fund, which has in excess of $20 million, will be used to pay the debts — among them $2.3 million to Aggreko, the company that leases generators to WAPA.
The 35th Legislature's announcement did not provide details of what to expect other than the event will focus on WAPA. It will be held today in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Chambers on St. Thomas at 1:30 p.m. Members will also participate from the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room on St. Croix.
"Senators will discuss the Water and Power Authority’s financial predicament and their plans to assist the utility," according to the release.
