💧 Water and Power · U.S. Virgin Islands
WAPA board approved contract changes and a $237 million electric budget at August meeting
The governing board of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority approved several contract-related items and the utility’s 2020 Electric System Operating Expense Budget at its meeting on St. Croix on August 22, 2019.
The board approved an extension through December 31, 2019, of an existing contract with Fortress Electric to complete work on a double-ended load center at the Estate Richmond Power Plant on St. Croix. WAPA said the work was intended to support the plant’s operability and included added safety equipment and protective systems.
The board also approved $591,264 in additional funding for Asplundh Tree Expert LLC through the end of the contract year for tree trimming and right-of-way clearance on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, bringing the overall contract total to $1.5 million.
Directors approved a no-cost addendum to a contract with Haugland Energy for installation of composite poles, allowing pole sizes not originally listed in the contract.
The board also approved contract extensions and increases for Intelligent Security and Comprehensive Security, which provide guard services to WAPA facilities. The extensions moved the contract end dates to November 30, 2019, while WAPA prepared a new request for proposals for security services. The increase for Intelligent Security was $197,658, bringing that contract to $2.4 million, and the increase for Comprehensive Security was $212,580, bringing that contract to $2.2 million.
The board approved a 2020 Electric System Operating Expense Budget of $237 million.
WAPA said Vice Chairman Noel Loftus, Secretary Juanita Young, Gerald T. Groner, Elizabeth Armstrong and Director Kyle Fleming attended the meeting. Chairman Anthony D. Thomas, Director Joel Lee, Hubert Turnbull and Cheryl Boynes-Jackson were excused.