Virgin Islands agency officials presented infrastructure projects at Interior conference in Hawaii

Office of Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne Williams-Octalien led a delegation of Virgin Islands agency and department heads to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Climate and Infrastructure Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, where officials presented territorial infrastructure needs and projects tied to support available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

According to Government House, conference presentations addressed water, energy, built infrastructure, natural infrastructure, broadband and legacy pollution.

Williams-Octalien was joined by V.I. Energy Office Director Kyle Fleming, Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol, V.I. Next Generation CEO Stephan Adams, V.I. Water and Power Authority Director of Water Service Don Gregoire, V.I. Port Authority Senior Project Engineer Kai Smith, Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel and Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal.

Government House said Fleming presented on energy initiatives including expansion of the government electric-vehicle fleet, a proposed cable linking the Virgin Islands power grid to Puerto Rico, and renewable-energy efforts.

Adams presented on Project Sailfish, an undersea cable initiative intended to connect the territory to the mainland. Smith presented on airport projects including terminal work at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix and a parking deck and terminal expansion at Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas.

Oriol presented on restoration work at Great Pond and the St. Croix East End Marine area, including channel dredging and mangrove removal. Gregoire presented on water service expansion projects on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John, including the East End Water System Expansion, the Bordeaux Submarine Waterline Expansion, and the Submarine Waterline and waterline to Myra Keating Clinic projects.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/delegation-of-agency-heads-give-presentations-at-national-infrastructure-conference-in-hawaii/