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
November 25, 2019
WAPA BOARD TAKES ACTION ON SEVERAL ITEMS TO BOLSTER ELECTRIC SYSTEM;
APPROVES HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWAL AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO EMPLOYEES
The governing board of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority approved several items aimed at enhancing generation stability at the two power plants, and ensuring that permanent work on the electric grid continues. The board action came at the regular monthly meeting on November 21, 2019.
The board approved:
• No cost contract extension to RG Engineering for its ongoing work on generating Unit 17. The contractor is carrying out repairs on the unit which once back in service, will provide additional and standby generation capacity for the Estate Richmond Power Plant. Originally the contract was to end in November, but shipping logistics for repaired components made it necessary to extend the contract to February 2020.
• Purchase orders with Doosan Turbomachinery Services for replacement parts on Unit 17, and to provide inspection services of the unit once repairs are completed.
• Time extension of an engineering services contract for fire protection system upgrades at the Randolph Harley Power Plant. The no-cost extension is required to facilitate a previously authorized payment to the vendor.
• An amendment to existing contracts with Haugland Energy and BBC Electric to insert omitted language on previously approved contracts. The contracts relate to the company’s ongoing grid hardening projects territory-wide.
• Modifications to an existing composite pole contract to include installations of 60 and 65-foot poles. Without the modification, WAPA cannot use federal funds to pay for the installation of the omitted pole lengths.
The board also approved a Water Leak Adjustment Policy that updates existing established practices for adjusting customer accounts where the customer has experienced a water leak that results in increased billing. The adopted policy ensures a uniform process to address adjustment claims.
Approval was also granted to the 2020 medical and dental health insurance contract with Cigna at an annual cost of $5.9 million. In light of a significant hike in the cost of family coverage, the board approved an additional $111,000 to allow the Authority to absorb the impact of the increased cost of family coverage on employees. WAPA pays 100% of health insurance costs for its employees, however, employees assume the cost of family coverage. The new contract takes effect on January 1.
The board also awarded security guard contracts to Comprehensive Security Concepts in the St. Thomas St. John district and Intelligent Security on St. Croix. The contracts run for a 12-month period, each beginning on December 1, 2019. Should either company decline the contract, the Authority will make an award to the next lowest bidder.
In his report to the board, Executive Director Lawrence J. Kupfer advised that there has been an increase in electrical demand in the territory over the last few months. However, both districts demand remains below pre-storm levels. Kupfer told board members that the volume of LPG fuel being used to generate electricity is below target due to ongoing mechanical issues with two WAPA-owned generators. He also addressed ongoing issues with Unit 26 on St. Thomas which has been at the center of some district-wide service interruptions earlier this month. “Until APR Energy can resolve the issues with the unit, we are doing our utmost to avoid including Unit 26 in the dispatch.” He reported no unusual developments with the potable water systems.
Board members in attendance included Vice Chairman Noel Loftus, Secretary Juanita Young, Elizabeth Armstrong, Cheryl Boynes Jackson, Director Kyle Fleming, and Hubert Turnbull. Chairman Anthony D. Thomas and Director Joel Lee 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.