The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority
Corporate Communications
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Jean P. Greaux, Jr., Director of Corporate Communications
340-774-3552 extension 2147 or 340-244-7330
communications@viwapa.vi / www.viwapa.vi
August 15, 2019
WAPA BOARD APPROVES NEGOTIATION OF CONTRACTS TO ENSURE SWIFT RESPONSE TO ANY DISASTER THAT MAY IMPACT UTILITY’S ELECTRIC GRIDS
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority on Thursday moved to secure services needed to provide a quick response to any storm which may impact the territory. Favorable action by WAPA’s governing board paves the way for damage assessment services, emergency housing, and equipment and supplies for a restoration effort. The board met to consider the storm-related and emergency response items during a special meeting on St. Croix Thursday.
“As we approach the peak of the hurricane season, WAPA is better positioning itself to engage services such as supplies, emergency housing, and damage assessment should the territory by adversely affected by a windstorm event or even, a man-made catastrophic incident,” said Executive Director / CEO Lawrence J. Kupfer.
The governing board authorized Kupfer:
- To negotiate and execute contracts with Haugland Energy Group and BHI Energy to ensure immediate, safe, effective, and competent assessment of damage to WAPA’s electric grids in the aftermath of severe weather events.
- To negotiate and execute contracts with Landry & Kling Global Cruise Events to provide emergency boat housing accommodations for off-island crews during restoration efforts.
- To negotiate and execute contracts with two V.I. electrical contractors and two off-island contractors regarding the availability of resources needed to ensure swift restoration of future storm damage to WAPA’s electric grids. The V.I. based contractors are: Fortress Electric, and Bonneville Contracting and Technology Group. The off-island contractors are BBC Electric, and Haugland Energy Group.
Board members in attendance included Chairman Anthony D. Thomas, Vice Chairman Noel Loftus, Secretary Juanita Young, Gerald T. Groner, Esq., Cheryl Boynes Jackson, and Hubert Turnbull. Directors Kyle Fleming and Joel Lee, and Elizabeth Armstrong were excused.
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