Wapa

After a Year of Controversy, The PSC is Left With Days to Review Hearing Examiner’s Report on Proposed WAPA Rate Changes

The V.I. Public Services Commission is left with fewer than three days to review a crucial hearing examiner’s report before voting on proposed changes to sky-high WAPA electric utility rates.   According to a document obtained by the Consortium, PSC Hearing Examiner Kye Walker was forced to delay her report because of the Water and Power Authority’s conflicting claims about whether changes to base utility rates will have “zero” or “nominal” impact on customers’ monthly bills.   The PSC is due to vote on the rate changes on Thursday on St. Thomas. Ms. Walker’s report, which will provide guidance to the commission members, was originally due last week. As of Monday evening, PSC members had not received the final report, said commission spokeswoman Lorna Nichols.   Ms. Walker, of the Walker Legal Group on St. Croix, filed an amended schedule with the PSC last week pushing her final report back until December 9th. Her filing stated that the delay is the result of a November letter fr...