WAPA
Innovative Training Program Elevates Safety and Skills at V.I. Water and Power Authority with $750,000 Grant
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) is taking a significant step forward with the introduction of a groundbreaking lineman training program aimed at enhancing both the skill set and safety protocols of its workforce. This initiative was highlighted at WAPA’s recent Governing Board meeting by Chief Operating Officer Ashley Bryan, with the training being conducted by the esteemed Northwest Lineman College (NLC) and supported by a generous $750,000 grant from the Department of Interior.
Northwest Lineman College, renowned for its comprehensive and demanding curriculum, is setting a new standard for lineman education. “The rigor and depth of the training provided by Northwest Lineman College are unparalleled compared to any previous programs we have engaged in,” remarked Ms. Bryan. The training will feature an advanced hot line school segment, demanding absolute precision from trainees on all procedures involving energized lines.
Ms. Bryan shed light on the necessity of this program, noting the inefficiency of WAPA’s existing three-year apprenticeship scheme which typically extends to five years before employees can safely handle energized work. “This timeframe is not in line with industry standards,” she observed, expressing optimism that the new training will better align job specifications with the practical acquisition of skills, thereby fast-tracking the proficiency of WAPA’s workforce in critical job roles.
Moreover, the program is set to propel WAPA to new heights of operational excellence, as stated by Ms. Bryan. Josh Jones, the Director of Safety, also emphasized the importance of shifting away from a culture of high risk tolerance to one where safety is paramount. He believes the training will be instrumental in dismantling unsafe practices and reducing the incidence of workplace injuries.
The announcement of this training initiative comes in the wake of a recent injury incident at WAPA in January, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures. According to Andrew Smith, the Executive Director, the program is designed to bolster linemen’s capabilities in recognizing and reporting hazards, thereby minimizing the risk of future injuries.
Additionally, Ms. Bryan highlighted the program’s role in modernizing WAPA’s operations as it starts integrating renewable energy sources and underground infrastructure into the territory’s electrical grid, marking a significant advancement in the utility’s commitment to innovation and safety.
WAPA
Vitema Offices on St. Thomas Closed Due to WAPA Potable Water Disruption
U.S. Virgin Islands – The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) Director is advising the public that the St. Thomas offices are closed effective immediately due to a WAPA potable water disruption.
According to WAPA’s statement, the problem is expected to be fixed later this evening and, as such, VITEMA’s St. Thomas office will reopen as usual tomorrow, Wednesday, May 15, 2024 for normal operations, 8am-5pm.
The St. Thomas 911 operations remain functioning as usual.
WAPA
Loud Boom at Randolph Harley Power Plant Leads to Safety Precautions
A startling boom at the Randolph Harley Power Plant in St. Thomas prompted an evacuation of the V.I. Water and Power Authority (WAPA) personnel on Thursday. Contrary to initial fears of an explosion, the noise was identified as a safety feature activation—a rupture disk—intended to prevent damage to critical systems, according to WAPA spokesperson Shanell Petersen.
This safety mechanism, which triggered the evacuation, responds automatically when it detects potential threats to the plant’s integrity. The activation caused significant concern, initially described as an explosion by a WAPA official. In response, the V.I. Fire and Emergency Services dispatched teams, and the Virgin Islands Police Department secured the plant’s perimeter.
Petersen explained the evacuation was a necessary precaution due to the intensity of the noise. She clarified that such measures ensure the safety of the staff, highlighting that the rupture disk’s role is a proactive safety response.
The event occurs amid ongoing challenges for WAPA in maintaining consistent power in the St. Thomas-St. John District. Following a district-wide outage on Wednesday, the region experienced similar power interruptions again today. Petersen noted that the rupture disk incident does not directly relate to the generation of power but is a separate safety measure.
The power issues have had widespread repercussions. The V.I. Department of Education had to cancel classes in the district for the second consecutive day. “Due to the ongoing power outage affecting the St. Thomas-St. John District, all schools within the district will remain closed today, Thursday, May 9, 2024,” announced the Department. “We apologize for any inconvenience and ask the public to follow official updates for further information on school operations.”
Additionally, the V.I. Superior Court announced closures due to a water service interruption, and the V.I. Economic Development Authority reported disruptions to its telephone services.
In related community impacts, the Lockhart K-8 Music Department has postponed its Spring Concert scheduled for today due to the unstable power supply, affecting not only educational institutions but also community events across the island.
WAPA
PSC Commissioner Calls for Hiring of Hearing Examiner Amid Concerns Over Water Safety in St. Croix
During a recent meeting with representatives from the Water and Power Authority (WAPA), Public Services Commission (PSC) member David Hughes expressed significant concerns about the current state of water testing in St. Croix, following last year’s alarming discovery of elevated levels of lead and copper. Hughes pressed for immediate action, questioning the delay in hiring a hearing examiner—a role outlined on the PSC’s website as crucial for overseeing utility compliance with regulations.
Hughes emphasized that the role of the hearing examiner is to work closely with utilities to ensure they meet the commission’s standards, particularly in regular testing to safeguard public health. “The PSC should be actively ensuring that WAPA maintains a consistent testing program that we can trust on behalf of consumers,” he stated.
The dialogue grew tense when Hughes criticized the commission’s efforts, responding to PSC Executive Director Sandra Setorie’s assurances that progress was being made with, “We as a Commission are not fulfilling our obligations.” He pointed to WAPA’s reactive measures—conducting 65 water tests in response to complaints about water discoloration—as insufficient and indicative of a need for a robust, ongoing testing program.
WAPA’s Director of Water Distribution for St. Croix, Don Gregoire, defended their practices, stating that the water is tested daily in their own laboratory, following EPA guidelines which now mandate biannual testing. However, Hughes countered that without full transparency and understanding of the testing procedures, the commission could not confidently endorse the program.
The urgency for better oversight was further highlighted by a lawsuit alleging serious deficiencies at the St. Croix laboratory, including outdated certifications and improper sample collection. These revelations support Hughes’s argument for enhanced oversight to ensure WAPA’s accountability and transparency.
Hughes also pointed out a broader issue of information deficit and lack of transparency from WAPA, underscoring the PSC’s duty to keep the public informed. “We’re not doing our job in regulatory oversight,” he lamented.
In a positive note, WAPA Chief Operating Officer for Water, Noel Hodge, announced a substantial FEMA grant aimed at overhauling St. Croix’s water infrastructure over the next two decades, with a detailed capital improvement plan underway and initial construction expected to start within three years.
Hughes’s call for the appointment of a hearing examiner underscores a critical need for PSC to enhance its regulatory role and ensure that such public health emergencies do not recur, reflecting a commitment to uphold safety and transparency in public utilities.
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