As WAPA continues its preparations for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the governing board today authorized mutual aid agreements with public power utilities across the United States. The companies can be called upon once the territory comes under an emergency declaration and in advance of windstorm event. Under terms of the agreements, personnel from other utilities are sent to the V.I. to assist with the restoration of the electric grid in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

The board’s approval came during a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday.

Executive Director Lawrence J. Kupfer told board members it is evident that the ability to provide rapid response services following a disaster is key to quick and effective service restoration. “Contacting other public utilities that have previously committed, and are readily available to provide services to WAPA, is critical to not only restoring service but normalizing the quality of life for residents while facilitating a rebuilding and reopening of the local economy.”

At the start of today’s meeting, the board voted to remove two items from the agenda: a comprehensive organizational study, and proposed wage increases for management and confidential employees of the Authority and then moved into executive session. At the conclusion of executive session, board secretary Juanita Young reported that the board authorized the executive director to settle a pending litigation matter, approved salary adjustments for the governing board’s secretary and for the Internal Audit and Revenue Assurance division. In addition, she said the board approved parameters for wage negotiations with the Professional and Technical Union and selected a board counsel.

In other action, the board approved:

• A no-cost time extension to a contract with Fortress Electric to complete installation of equipment at the Richmond Power Plant. While 40% of the work has already been completed, the contractor could not complete work by the original June 30 deadline as the firm was also involved in a higher priority project for WAPA on St. Thomas.
• A resolution that authorizes the Authority to operate at 2020 budget levels until the 2021 fiscal year budget is approved and adopted.
• The adoption of social media, code of conduct, anti-discrimination, and unlawful harassment policies. Management anticipates it will implement the policies within 45 days.
• An extension of the maturity date of the 2018 Series B bond anticipation notes from July 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020. The extension allows additional time to complete negotiations for a refunding of the notes.

The board tabled consideration of a ground lease and tank purchase agreement with Virgin Islands Oil and Transportation, LLLP pending additional information. The company proposes to purchase two unused oil storage tanks on St. Thomas, and lease two acres of land over a 40-year period including use of the utility’s fuel dock in Krum Bay.

A funding increase to complete lead abatement on a fuel line at the Harley Power Plant on St. Thomas was not approved. The increase, in the amount of $78,607.50, is required as a result of changes to the project’s scope of work. Additional solicitations will be sought to complete the work.

In his executive director’s report, Director Kupfer advised board members of a seasonal increase in power demand. “As we head into the warmer summer months and with the recent layer of Saharan dust that has affected the islands, we are seeing increases in demand for electrical service. Despite that increase, overall, COVID-19 has leveled a 4-5% impact on demand and therefore a negative effect on electrical sales.” In May, WAPA used higher volumes of propane to produce electricity. “We have gotten Unit 15 back online and that has allowed the Harley plant to increase its usage of LPG and lower the reliance on Number 2 oil.” Kupfer said the goal is to get both power plants on 100% propane. He described oil markets as remaining unstable. There is today an approximate 3% spread between the cost of LPG and oil. Eight of nine generation outages experienced at the Harley plant in May were attributed to operational issues related to Unit 23. Those issues have been resolved, and the unit remains available as needed. Kupfer also reported that Unit 27, a leased generating unit from GE, is being dispatched, and will lead to more reliable service in St. Thomas. Water inventories are just below target on St. Croix but there has been no adverse impact. “As we get deeper into summer and the hurricane season, we will double efforts to maintain water inventory.”

Board members present were: Chairman Anthony D. Thomas, Vice Chairman Noel Loftus, Secretary Juanita Young, Director Kyle Fleming, Hubert Turnbull, and Elizabeth Armstrong. Director Joel Lee and Jed JohnHope were excused from a portion of the meeting, while Cheryl Boynes Jackson was excused from the entire meeting today.

ST. THOMAS – Members of the Committee on Finance chaired by Sen. Kurt A. Vialet convened in a meeting at the Capitol Building on Thursday to receive testimony on the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 Executive Budget for the Government of the Virgin Islands of the United States. Invited testifiers are officials from the Virgin Islands Department of Labor (VIDOL) and the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The recommendation for the Department of Labor FY 2021 Budget totals $8,069,238; a 26% reduction of the initial request of $10,902,980. The Virgin Islands Department of Labor Commissioner Gary Malloy stated that the FY 2021 budget reduction that substantially affected the personnel and operating categories, was due to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Territory. As a result of revenue restrictions that affected the FY 2021 budget, locally funded vacancies decreased to five positions totaling $229,152. Additionally, the Unemployment Insurance employer contribution payment reduced to $217,519; which parallels the contribution amount of DOL; according to Malloy. The budget breakdown is as follows: $5,142,762 is for salaries and fringe benefits for 46.19 positions and $2,926,476 for mandatory operating costs. Furthermore, Malloy noted that DOL is slated to receive $1,203,216 from the Government Insurance Fund for personnel services and $587,696 for mandatory operating expenses. Federal Funds has appropriated $4,413,680 to DOL to cover salaries and fringe benefits and $2,313,316 for mandatory operating costs.

Moreover, the National Dislocated Worker Grant awarded DOL $1.5 million to employ dislocated workers who became unemployed because of COVID-19. Sen. Athneil “Bobby” Thomas inquired about the number of participants DOL assisted thus far. DOL Assistant Commissioner Cindy Richardson stated that the program will officially begin next month. However, eighty people have signed up on the list. In response to Sen. Vialet’s inquiry about the challenges of job placements, Malloy mentioned that the issues are employers who are a part of the DOL job pool may not have vacancies. Sen. Vialet said, “I want to get our young people employed because employers are willing to train and hire. I am not just referring to major firms but local businesses who are vested in the community may have vacancies also.” Separately, Malloy mentioned that the Workers Compensation Administration received $6,000,000 and expended $3,012,221 to paid injured workers, paid injured workers to travel, and paid providers throughout the Virgin Islands.

Separately, the Public Service Commission Executive Director Donald Cole stated that PSC is funded by assessments of utilities it regulates under the law. Therefore, the FY 2021 budget totals $1,794,457.70. In comparison to the FY 2020 allotment, it is a reduction of $1,275,498. However, the Post Audit Report states that because of Act 8232, the Commission was appropriated $1,795,765. Defending the FY 2021 budget, Cole noted that there are numerous challenges that the Commission must address to include financial, technical, and legal matters. The budget breakdown is as follows: $903,781 for personnel services, $60,200 for utilities, $366,565 for other services and charges, $54,700 for supplies, $369,211 for fringe benefits, and $40,000 for capital outlay.