💧 Water and Power · U.S. Virgin Islands
WAPA board approved St. Thomas underground feeder project, pole replacement funding and 2026 employee health plan changes
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority said its governing board on October 23, 2025 unanimously approved several infrastructure and administrative items, including a St. Thomas underground electrical project, additional funding for territory-wide pole replacement and debris removal work, and a 2026 employee health benefits increase.
The board approved a contract with Haugland Virgin Islands LLC for the Feeder 9A Underground Electrical Construction Project on St. Thomas in an amount not to exceed $12.8 million. WAPA said the project would move lines underground from the Randolph Harley Substation to Strand Gade in Charlotte Amalie. The authority said the work was funded 98% by FEMA, with the remaining 2% provided through the Office of Disaster Recovery using HUD Community Development Block Grant funds.
The board also approved a $10 million increase and a contract extension through June 2026 for Haugland VI's disaster debris removal and disposal services contract. WAPA said the change would allow continued replacement of wooden poles with composite poles and disposal of old materials. The authority said 9,949 composite poles had been installed across the territory, including 4,849 on St. Croix, 3,202 on St. Thomas, 1,711 on St. John and 187 on Water Island.
WAPA said the board approved a 6% increase in the authority's 2026 employee benefits plan after negotiations with Cigna and New York Life. The authority said management had reduced a proposed 17.5% increase to 6% and that retirees would have another opportunity to participate in open enrollment for life insurance.
In an executive report, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Karl Knight also updated the board on deferred fuel balance accounting, Public Services Commission proceedings, and financial and operational matters. WAPA said monthly shortfalls had been reduced to about $1 million from about $8 million and that it planned to acquire additional hybrid bucket trucks.