💧 Water and Power · U.S. Virgin Islands
WAPA board received utility operations update and approved Evertec contract extension
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority board received an update on electric and water operations at its monthly meeting on March 26, 2020, including fuel use, service changes during the coronavirus emergency and labor matters.
Executive Director Lawrence J. Kupfer said WAPA was following local and federal health guidance while continuing electric and water service. He said the authority would not terminate service for nonpayment during the state of emergency and had suspended visits to public-facing facilities, directing customers to online and telephone service for most transactions.
Kupfer said WAPA had activated an incident command system to manage its response to the pandemic and had expanded telework for employees whose duties could be performed remotely.
On operations, he reported total system generation of 72.2 megawatts, up from January but below pre-hurricane levels. He said propane remained the primary fuel at both power plants, with February fuel use split 85% propane and 15% oil. He also said world propane prices had fallen 7% and oil prices 11%, with propane prices 39% lower than oil.
For the water system, Kupfer said production was at 74% capacity and about 150,000 kilogallons were produced in February. He said inventories were generally near target.
Kupfer also told the board that the VI Workers Union for supervisors had ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, while negotiations continued for professional, technical and rank-and-file employees.
The board approved a time extension and cost increase for an existing contract with Evertec Group LLC for printing and mailing customer bills. The extension ran through October 26, 2020, at a cost not to exceed $750,000.
According to WAPA, board members present were Chairman Anthony D. Thomas, Vice Chair Noel Loftus, Secretary Juanita Young, and directors Joel Lee, Kyle Fleming, Hubert Turnbull, Elizabeth Armstrong, Jed JohnHope and Cheryl Boynes Jackson.