Bryan says Legislature approved $6 million reappropriation for WAPA fuel payments

The 33rd Legislature voted during an emergency session on St. Thomas on Dec. 27, 2019, to reappropriate $6 million from the fiscal 2020 budget to help the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority meet its financial obligation to Vitol for December 2019 and January 2020.

According to Government House, senators took testimony from Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal, WAPA officials and Public Services Commission officials before approving the measure.

The Legislature also voted to require semi-autonomous agencies and instrumentalities of the Virgin Islands government to submit quarterly financial reports to the Legislature beginning in January 2020.

Government House said senators voting in favor of the reappropriation were Marvin Blyden, Dwayne DeGraff, Novelle Francis, Donna Frett-Gregory, Kenneth Gittens, Stedmann Hodge Jr., Javan James, Steven Payne Sr., Janelle Sarauw, Athneil Thomas and Kurt Vialet. Allison DeGazon, Alicia Barnes and Oakland Benta were absent for the vote.

In a statement issued after the vote, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. described the $6 million reappropriation as a short-term fix and said a longer-term solution for WAPA remained necessary.

Government House said Vitol stopped supplying propane to WAPA on Dec. 21, 2019, after issuing a default notice on Dec. 12, 2019. The administration said the interruption forced WAPA to stop using its propane-fueled generators and rely on older generators using No. 2 oil.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-thanks-33rd-legislature-calls-for-collaboration-on-long-term-solution-for-wapa/