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
WAPA BOARD APPROVES A NUMBER OF CONTRACT-RELATED MATTERS & ELECTRIC SYSTEM BUDGET AT MONTHLY MEETING
Meeting on St. Croix Thursday, the governing board of the Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority approved contract amendments, and the 2020 Electric System Operating Budget.
The board approvals included:
• A time extension to December 31, 2019 on an existing contract with Fortress Electric to complete work on a double ended load center. The work will support and guarantee the operability of the Estate Richmond Power Plant on St. Croix. The new equipment includes increased safety equipment for personnel and protective schemes for the equipment.
• Additional funding in the amount of $591,264 to Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC through the end of the contract year. The company provides tree trimming and right of way clearance on all three islands. The overall contract total is $1.5 million.
• A no-cost addendum to a contract with Haugland Energy for the installation of composite poles. The changes to the contract allow for the installation of pole sizes that were not originally listed and quoted.
• Contract extensions and increases with Intelligent Security and Comprehensive Security. The firms provide guard services to the Authority. The extensions will change the contract end dates to November 30, 2019 to allow a new Request for Proposals for security services to be issued. The Intelligent Security increase is $197,658.00 bringing the contract total to $2.4 million while the Comprehensive Security increase is $212,580 for an overall contract total of $2.2 million.
• Electric System Operating Expense Budget: $237 million.
Board members in attendance included: Vice Chairman Noel Loftus, Secretary Juanita Young, Gerald T. Groner, Elizabeth Armstrong, and Director Kyle Fleming. Chairman Anthony D. Thomas, Director Joel Lee, Hubert Turnbull, and Cheryl Boynes-Jackson were excused.
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority is an autonomous agency of the Virgin Islands Government which produces and distributes electricity and drinking water to residential and commercial customers in the territory. WAPA was created by the Fifth Legislature of the Virgin Islands in 1964 through Act No. 1248. Today, WAPA generates electrical power at production plants on St. Thomas and St. Croix, and distributes electrical service through smart grids to customers on St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Hassel Island, and Water Island. Potable water is distributed to almost 13,000 customers through water lines and standpipes. WAPA also has the responsibility of installing and maintaining street lights.