Residents Speak to Energy Strategy

The V. I. Energy Office held three Town Meetings in June to receive input from residents concerning the Virgin Islands Comprehensive Energy Strategy. About a dozen residents gave input at the St. Croix meeting; a half dozen at the St. Thomas meeting and three at the St. John meeting.

James Powell, of the Southern States Energy Board which created the plan under the direction of Energy Office and a policy advisor within the office of the Governor, recorded all comments.

After opening remarks by Energy Office Director Bevan R. Smith Jr., at each meeting, Kenneth J. Nemeth, executive director of Southern States Energy Board, outlined why the officials were seeking input on the draft plan and what steps would have to be followed afterwards. (Pictured here is Andrew Rutnick testifying on St. John.)

Some of the concerns raised on St. Croix were:

• Was WAPA on board with the plan?
• Were LED light fixtures part of the plan?
• Should WAPA introduce a tier rate structure, charging more for electricity during peak demand times?
• Why isn’t WAPA looking into a Feed-in Tariff which is more attractive to residents than simple net metering?
• How was the photovoltaic market going to be stimulated in the Virgin Islands?

Some of the concerns raised on St. Thomas were:

• Why is WAPA punishing residents by raising the rates when residents adopt energy efficiency?
• Why is the government not bringing “down the hammer” on WAPA?
• Why is the government not doing more to encourage recycling?

On St. John, the concerns raised mostly related to the need for more public education of residents.

Funding for the strategic plan was made available, in part, from the United States Department of the Interior. Copies of the strategy plan were distributed at the meetings. Copies of the plan were also given to each V. I. senator and community stakeholders.

The main objectives of the strategy are to:

• Reduce energy costs
• Increase efficiency of energy use and production
• Increase fuel diversity and reliability
• Promote clean energy

The strategy outlines the current energy situation, notes energy resource options, and lists specific strategies to meet the main objectives. The plan sets forth 31 strategies to support the above energy goals.

Solar Training Program to Begin Soon

The V. I. Energy Office, V.I. Department of Labor and the V.I. Department of Education are partnering to put stimulus funds to work in the territory. The Department of Education began testing candidates Wednesday who had been directed to Education by the Department of Labor to be included in a solar pre-apprentice training program.
       The 20-week course is being funded by the Energy Office and Labor with funds made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The course will include on-line training, hands-on training in the class room and on-the-job training.
       The course is designed to give residents who complete it the opportunity to become employed in the solar industry especially in the installation of solar water heaters. During the training students may assist in installing solar water heaters on government buildings or buildings owned by non-profit agencies. Many solar water heaters are expected to be installed in the Virgin Islands as part of the ARRA stimulus funds.
       In this initial training project, the V.I. Government hopes to train 75 residents – 30 from St. Croix, 30 from St. Thomas and 15 from St. John. Classes have tentatively been set to start on July 15.
       Residents interested in participating in the classes should contact the Department of Labor:  
St Croix
Sunny Isle Shopping Center Store #4,
Tel: 773-1440
St. Thomas
53A &54AB Kronprindsens Gade
Tel 776-3700
       Information about the program is also available at the Energy Office, a division of the Governor’s Office, at 773-1082 on St. Croix or 774.3320 on St. Thomas or St. John; or the V.I. Career Technical & Adult Education Institute: Raphael O. Wheatley Skill Center St. Thomas, at  774-6277; or St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center, Kingshill, St. Croix at 778-2216.

Climate Bill Passes US House

Reaction was mixed in the Virgin Islands as the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on June 26 to slash pollution that is blamed for global warming. Like elsewhere some Virgin Islanders think the bill is trying to do too much while others think it does not do enough.Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen applauded the bill’s passage. “The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 is about the future,” she said in a press release.  “All the decisions that we know must be made, that we have put off for far too long on energy independence, climate change and retooling our economy for the industries of the future must be made now.
       Paul Chakroff, executive director of the St. Croix Environmental Association was not as enthusiastic. He said, “It is great they passed a bill, but they seemed to have weakened the Clean Air Act and that has me concerned.” He also said he had some hesitancy about the Cap and Trade portion of the bill. He said he believed that a carbon tax would have been the direct route to go.
       The Cap and Trade element of the bill will be of  special concern to Virgin Islanders because of its continual dependency on fossil fuel. This dependency and the consequent release of Greenhhouse gases in the atmosphere will become more costly.
       According to the New York Times, “The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the average American household would pay an additional $175 a year in energy costs by 2020 as a result of the provision (for Cap and Trade).”  The bill also makes allowances for rebates for the poorest households. However, with utility bills in the Virgin Islands being on three times what average stateside utility bills are, it is hard to say just how costly the implementation of the bill would be for residents.
       The House barely passed the bill,  by a vote of 219-212. Climate change legislation still must get through the Senate. Senators were expected to try to write their own version but prospects for this year were uncertain. After the House vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he hoped the Senate can pass a bill "this fall."

Energy Schedules Public Hearings on Stimulus Funds

       The Virgin Islands Energy Office is holding three public hearings to inform residents about funds received under American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  The U.S. Department of Energy has made available about $31 million dollars for formula based grants.
       The funds are divided in three categories – State Energy Program, $20.7 million; Weatherization Assistance Program, $1.4 million; Energy Efficiency Conservation Block grants, $9.6 million.
       The hearings will be held on each of the main islands in their respective senate buildings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. St. Croix hearing is May 5. St. Thomas is May 6 and St. John is May 7. A short presentation will be made and then Energy Office staff will be available to answer questions.
The stimulus act which gives preference to activities that can be started and completed expeditiously has several goals

• To preserve and create jobs and promote recovery
• To assist those most impacted by the recession
• To provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in energy

       The purpose of the Weatherization Assistance Program is to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons, reduce their total residential expenditures, and improve their health and safety.  The priority population for the Weatherization Assistance Program is persons who are particularly vulnerable such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, families with children, high residential energy users, and households with low incomes.
       The goals under the State Energy Program are

• Increase energy efficiency to reduce energy costs and consumption for consumers, businesses and government
• Reduce reliance on imported energy
• Improve the reliability of electricity and fuel supply and the delivery of energy services
• Reduce the impacts of energy production and use on the environment

       The Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants will focus on the development and implementation of energy efficiency practices. This effort will include building audits, financial incentives, grants to government and non-profit agencies, and programs to conserve energy in transportation.
This is the first year the Virgin Islands has been eligible for grant money under the Weatherization program. It is expected that funding will continue on an annual basis. However, the rest of the funds are just a one-time effort.
       Anyone wishing for more information about the hearings are asked to call the Virgin Islands Energy Office, a division of the Governor’s Office, at 773-1082 on St. Croix or 774.3320 on St. Thomas or St. John.

Leila Muller, of the Virgin Islands Energy Office, at the Eco-Fair on St. Croix.

Island residents celebrate the bounty of the Earth

In April 2009 in the Virgin Islands there was not one, but three Earth Days. In a sign of the times, as more people are becoming concerned about the environment, all three celebrations showed high pariticpation.
       On April 17, the University of Virgin Islands St. Thomas campus was full of youngsters attending the 5th Annual Pro-Enviro Fair. It featured a game show "Who Wants to be and Environmentalist."
       On April 20 the action was on St. John. Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park sponsored the Environmental Fair at the National Ball Park in Cruz Bay.
       St. Croix outdid her sister islands by celebrating Earth Day two days and in two different places. The most important event for students was the Eco Fair at St. George's Botanical Gardens on April 22 and April 23. This event always attracts about a thousand youngsers.A more serious event was held on the St. Croix UVI campus where the U.S. Environmental Agency sponsored an Earth Day Conference.
       Carl-Axel Soderberg, regional director for the EPA, led off that program with a presentation highlighting many facts about the Virgin Islands. One of the more shocking facts he stated was that per capita the Virgin Islands is emitting six times the Greenhouse Gases that the United States is.
       In his presentation, Don Buchanan, of the Energy Office, pointed out that the new administration in Washington has declared that Greenhouse Gases are a serious pollutant. he added that emitting Greenhouse Gases is going to become much costlier soon when either a carbon tax or a cap and trade system is initiated.

Youngsters Learn About Solar Powered Cars
      The 14th annual Junior Solar Sprint held Friday, April 3, at Sunny Isle Shopping Center provided an exciting, fun and educational way for junior high students to learn about solar energy. More than 100 students from 18 schools on St. Thomas and St. Croix entered; racing model solar-powered cars they built from kits donated by the Virgin Islands Energy Office.
       Gov. John P. deJongh joined the crowd Friday giving support to the students and looking at their cars. He even chipped in with some help as he sat at the finish line as a  lane judge for a couple of the races.
     “I am supportive of the kids at anything fun and educational,” said Gov. deJongh. “It all builds knowledge of solar energy. They see the potential use of solar energy in the Virgin Islands. There are a lot of potential engineers here. ”
     The excitement was evident with the students nervously waiting for their turns on the six-lane, 66-foot track set up in the Wendy’s' parking lot.
     Kasim Andrews, Program Monitor, at the Energy Office and race starter, kept the students moving at the starting line. With an ongoing monologue, he kept them prepared on the starting line and ready to go when the sun was at its brightest.
     Arthur A. Richards Junior High took first, second, and third in the speed category and  St. Peter and Paul placed fourth. The winning team consisted of Kerion Andrew and Rashed Gomez.  Antilles School took fifth place and Free Will Baptist took sixth. St. Peter and Paul took home first, second and third in the Design category with Antilles getting fourth place, Manor School fifth and John Woodson sixth.
     At the end of the afternoon, after students had enjoyed lunch at Wendy's, an award ceremony was held.  Director Bevan R. Smith of the Energy Office complimented participants on their efforts. Although the event is sponsored by the V.I. Energy Office, other government agencies and local businesses take part. The Department of Education supplies transportation for the students; Department of Public Works supplies barricades, Fire Services hoses off the site the evening before the race to make sure the track area is smooth, Sunny Isle Shopping Center provided the venue, GT Trucking provided trash bins, and Wendy’s Restaurant and Shuama Gas Station provided ice. Volunteers from the Department of Natural Resources helped set up the tent and track as did students from the University of the Virgin Islands. Co-sponsors of the event include : Supply Resources Incorporated, Quality Auto Parts, and West Indian Company.

VI Government Feels the Global Heat
Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. participated in a series of table-top exercises regarding global warming and climate change at the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas the second weekend of February.
    The forum was designed to provide the Chief Executive and his Cabinet with scientific data and predictions relative to the impact of climate change for the global community and the Caribbean region, in particular.During this session it became very clear that the scientific data supports global warming and the gradual warming of the earth as a result of the impact of man-made or human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels.
    The presentations provided projections based on scientific findings and encouraged a proactive regional, as well as international approach. “My Administration looks forward to partnering with other local, national, and international groups and organizations, as well as other government entities, to share information and move forward on a collaborative response to this very real global issue,” de Jongh said.
    Two well-known climatologists briefed Governor de Jongh and his Cabinet on the impacts of global warming, as well as on the collaborative community response needed to adapt to the changing climate. Dr. Leonard Nurse, Chairman of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre in Belize, outlined the long-term trend for global warming, with a special focus on the Caribbean and Virgin Islands. He referenced scientific models and other projection data regarding expectations for reduced rainfall, glacier retreat and rising sea levels in future years.
Additional focus centered on the impact of global warming on crops, changing migratory patterns of fish, and steps needed to address these and other issues.
     Dr. Ulric Trotz has been giving direction to the Caribbean region’s efforts to build capacity for climate change adaptation and was recently inducted as an Honorary Distinguished Fellow of the University of the West Indies in Barbados. His presentation focused on working towards reducing long-term costs associated with global warming and the overall importance of adapting to the climate change, specifically citing actions that should be taken by Caribbean islands in at least four areas: Water Resources, Tourism Industry, Insurance Industry, and Energy. As part of his overall message, Dr. Trotz encouraged green tourism and energy efficient designs for buildings and infrastructure in order to mitigate and counteract predictions for beach erosion, rainfall scarcity, and increases in hurricane intensity.
     Throughout the discussion, Governor de Jongh and his Cabinet were presented with scenarios and evaluated climate change projections for the Territory, greater Caribbean, and beyond in order to contemplate the overall response needed at the local and international levels to adapt to global warming.
     According to the climatologists present at the UVI forum this weekend, the Caribbean region has already felt the effects of climate change. Evidence was presented that detailed the region’s recent changes, including: intense hurricanes over a shorter period of time and other climate-related events such as flooding, mudslides, other storm surges, drier dry seasons, shorter wet seasons, rising sea levels and warmer ocean temperatures as a result of global warming.

Hospital to Demonstrate Savings From Solar

    Jan. 15, 2009 -- The Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Cardiac Care Center will soon demonstrate how the use of alternative energy can bring down water and electric bills.
    The Virgin Islands Energy Office, a division of the governor’s office, has signed an agreement with the hospital to give the hospital a grant of $200,000 to build a 30 kW photovoltaic system. The Energy Office is adding to the cash donation a donation of solar panels valued at another $200,000.
    Gov. John P. DeJongh presented the check to Gregory Calliste, CEO of Juan F. Luis Hospital, during a press conference on Jan. 15 at the new Cardiac Care Center. “This gift signifies the tremendous importance and high priority that my Administration places in seeking creative avenues to highlight our collective actions as one government in decreasing overall energy costs in the Territory through the use of clean energy. This endeavor is the first project of its kind in the Territory and signals the vision of the Government Demand Reduction Program in seeking workable solutions to reduce overall operating costs for government facilities. In continuance of our goal to reduce government utility consumption 20 percent by 2012, I am pleased to extend this gift in cooperation with the VI Energy Office of $200,000 in grant money and $200,000 in photovoltaic (solar) panels,” de Jongh said.
    The Hospital for its part agrees to assist the Energy Office by demonstrating to other government agencies and departments the benefits of alternative energy and energy efficiency technology. The hospital communication methods will include brochures, tours of the facility, and involvement in discussions on energy issues. The hospital is also responsible for monitoring the cost saving it receives from the installation.
    In receiving the check, Calliste said that the hospital recognizes its responsibility to lower its Water and Power Authority bill through energy efficiency and use of alternative energy as much as possible. He said the hospital would do everything in its power to make the project successful.
Energy Office Director Bevan R. Smith Jr. said this project was just one of the many efforts that the Energy Office was making to help the government agencies bring down their WAPA bills.
     “Although oil prices are presently down, we don’t want to be lulled into a sense of complacency. The Energy Office is forging ahead to help residents and the government cut down on the use of fossil fuel,” said Smith.
    The hospital is getting five hundred, 60-watt solar panels from the Energy Office. The hospital will be required to contribute cash or in-kind services to the project. This contribution will cover other system components such as racks and inverters.