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.