WAPA and VITEMA Host Groundbreaking Friday for Christiansted Underground Distribution System

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) and the Virgin Islands Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) are co-hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for an underground electrical distribution system which will increase the reliability and efficiency of power in the town of Christiansted. The ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. on the lawn of the National Park Service complex at Fort Christiansvaern and will be attended by federal and local dignitaries. The general public is also invited to attend. According to Hugo Hodge, Jr., WAPA’s Executive Director, “The goal of the underground project is to mitigate the destruction and lengthy restoration process of the distribution system in Christiansted in the event of a hurricane or major wind storm. The project is federally funded by several grants which require a 75/25 percent cost share between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and WAPA.

The installation of underground ducts and electrical cables will be completed in three phases. Phase I, to be completed by summer of 2009, includes system installation from WAPA’s Richmond substation to Strand Street and up to Prince and Fisher Streets at a total cost of $3.74 million. Phase II will include underground line installation on Strand, King and Company Streets at a cost of $3.67 million and is expected to be completed by summer of 2010. WAPA will apply to FEMA early next year for additional funds to complete Phase III which will include Queen, Hill, East and Fisher Streets in Christiansted town. The underground systems will have provisions for both electrical and communications cabling.

WAPA’s cost share funds will come from monies which have been generated from customer payments into the Self-Insurance and Hazard Mitigation Fund. The customer surcharge which was approved by the Public Services Commission (PSC) in 1994 was established to initiate immediate restoration of the electrical system should there be a delay or absence of federal funds during natural disaster restoration. The surcharge was eliminated in February 2006 when the fund reached its approved limit of $8 million.

Adjutant General of the Virgin Islands National Guard Reynaldo Rivera, who also serves as Executive Director of VITEMA says his agency is “extremely delighted to assist in this dual agency venture. It’s a win-win for all,” he said. “This is one of the most important mitigation efforts that FEMA has funded in the Virgin Islands and VITEMA is fully supportive of WAPA’s efforts to provide more reliable and efficient service to ensure the safety and security of this community,” said Rivera.

Hodge commended WAPA’s technical team of engineers, FEMA Region II representatives, and VITEMA’s operations and hazard mitigation teams for their willingness to work with the utility on a project that will so significantly benefit the general public. “We know that Christiansted is a major economic corridor of St. Croix and the quicker we can restore service in major areas such as this after a disastrous event, the quicker the island can return to normal. The National Park Service and the V.I. State Historic Preservation Office will also play a critical part in this interagency partnership. We are grateful for their guidance as we work to complete this project and at the same time protect the aesthetics and historic characteristics of the beautiful town of Christiansted,” Hodge said.

WAPA currently operates underground systems from its power plants to the hospitals and airports on St. Croix and St. Thomas and is working to complete its underground system into the town of Frederiksted.