The governing board of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority on Thursday approved a $250,000 contract to ensure the utility remains in compliance with testing mandates set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency as part of existing consent decrees at the WAPA power plants. The contract is with Arcadis, US Inc. to perform stack testing at the Randolph Harley Power Plant. “Stack testing is mandated to comply with local and federal operating permits as well as the consent decree on St. Thomas. Air quality performance testing will be carried out on Units 15, 23, 26, and 27 on both diesel and LPG fuel types,” said Lawrence J. Kupfer, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer.

The board, also approved a one-year extension with CDR Maguire for engineering and design services for the completion of the Cruz Bay Underground Hazard Mitigation Project. The project, when completed, will strengthen the electric grid by replacing overhead lines with underground facilities, decreasing the effect of wind storm events, and reducing storm related damage to the electrical system. The contract total is $539,388.

In other action, the board approved:

• Extension of the General Liability Coverage for a one-year period at a cost not to exceed $1.95 million. The policy covers legal liabilities arising out of the operation of WAPA’s water and electrical services and also covers injuries and damages to persons or property.
• Extension of contracts through August 31 with Intelligent Security and Comprehensive Security for two months until requests for proposals are solicited for new security services contracts. Additionally, funding to accommodate expanded materials staging areas requiring guard services was also approved.
• Authorized the executive director to enter into a lease for warehouse space in Altona & Welgunst for the storage of materials needed for ongoing permanent repair work on the electrical system. The lease is for 10 years at a monthly cost of $17,233.00. Board members in attendance included: Chairwoman Elizabeth Armstrong, Vice Chairman Hubert Turnbull, Secretary Juanita Young, Commissioner Anthony Thomas, Directors Joel Lee and Kyle Fleming, Noel Loftus, Gerald T. Groner, Esq., and Cheryl Boynes Jackson.