Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) Executive Director Lawrence J. Kupfer thanked the 33rd Legislature for its passage of legislation that facilitates WAPA’s addressing some of its outstanding sums to VITOL and the resumption of electricity generated by propane fuel.
Kupfer also expressed his appreciation to the members of the V.I. Public Services Commission to extend the lease generation surcharge is welcomed by WAPA.” Additionally, Kupfer said, WAPA continues to lobby for the PSC’s consideration and implementation of a permanent base rate. The Authority must have a permanent rate structure before it can approach investors to refinance the outstanding debt owed VITOL. “Not only will the refinancing allow us to spread the debt out to a longer-term at less stringent monthly payments, we can use the refinancing to lower rates for our customers. We urge the PSC to implement the base rate as suggested by the hearing examiner immediately,” he said.
Governor Bryan has said that his administration and the Legislature have agreed that WAPA needs to fulfill its obligations to the ratepayers by making needed improvements to its management structure and by resolving billing discrepancies.