Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the Territory $232,919,518 in federal funding to use to cover costs of the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority’s Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power Pilot Program (STEP). The STEP Program ended in April and was designed to allow residents to remain in their homes while temporary repairs were being made. Governor Bryan said his administration had been hard at work on this issue since taking office in January and expressed his gratitude to FEMA and Acting Administrator Pete Gaynor for FEMA’s continued support in the Territory’s recovery. “Keeping the recovery on track is one of our key priorities, and we have worked tirelessly since taking office this year to clean up the past discrepancies in this program,” Governor Bryan said. “Today, I am proud to announce that we can now move forward with providing the much-needed payments to the STEP contractors, who have been more than patient throughout this process.” The award is new funding from FEMA and primarily will be used to reimburse contractors who participated in STEP repairs following Hurricane Maria in 2017. Governor Bryan added Monday that while the obligation of the funding is a significant milestone, there are still a few details to work out with FEMA before making contractor payments.
Asked about the governor’s proposal of legalized marijuana fees going to the retirement system, Government House Communications Director Richard said the governor realizes the process and implementation will be a long process and that is why he wants to move it quickly through the Legislature.
Virgin Islands Port Authority proposes to obtain a Master Permit for the Wilfred ”Bomba” Allick Container Port Facility. The Master Permit would bring the facility originally constructed by HESS into compliance with the VI Coastal Zone Management Act, consolidate all other permits, and permit a new warehouse building to replace the warehouse which was destroyed by the 2017 hurricanes.
The Port Authority (VIPA) suspended parking fees at the Enighed Pond Gravel parking lot until it meets with the Coastal Zone Management Commission after the holidays. The VIPA has agreed to have a discussion with members of the CZM Commission to talk about the operation of the parking lot and the VIPA's proposed fee structure.
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) has a special holiday hours. Today, Tuesday December 31, 2019, WAPA is opened from 8 am to 12 noon. Tomorrow, January 1, 2020, WAPA is closed.