Bryan outlined federal funding, labor and energy concerns at Senate committee hearing

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. told the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 9 that the U.S. Virgin Islands needed congressional help on federal grant cost-sharing waivers, rum cover-over payments, health-care disparities, refinery-related issues involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and energy costs.

Testifying at a committee hearing in Washington, Bryan said the territory already had funding allocated for some needs but required greater cooperation among federal agencies.

During the hearing, Bryan also discussed inflation, workforce shortages and the lack of health-care workers in the territory. He said the territory's inflation rate was 5% and that electricity cost 63 cents per kilowatt-hour, compared with 12 cents on the mainland. He also said construction costs for a public housing unit ranged from $380,000 to $500,000 and that construction costs had tripled.

Asked about the territory's biggest challenge, Bryan said the Virgin Islands needed more workers to complete recovery projects. He said the territory had lost 20% of its population over the previous decade because of hurricanes, the refinery closure and the recession, and needed about 5,000 additional workers.

Bryan also said American Rescue Plan Act funding had helped the territory try to recruit nurses and other medical personnel, but high housing costs and lower pay remained obstacles.

Other governors who appeared before the committee were Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico, Lourdes Leon Guerrero of Guam, Arnold Palacios of the Northern Mariana Islands and Lemanu Mauga of American Samoa.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-gives-update-on-state-of-u-s-virgin-islands-to-senate-energy-and-natural-resources-committee/