Dec. 8, 2008 — Gov. John deJongh Jr. acknowledges the need for renewable energy, but his trip to a petroleum-coke facility in Louisiana this week is aimed at bridging the gap between current and future energy sources.
"We recognize that the current downturn in world market prices for petroleum crude is only a temporary relief and is not a sustainable trend over the long-term," deJongh said, according to a Government House news release. "While the Water and Power Authority is on the verge of executing power-purchase agreements that will begin the era of utility-scale renewable energy in the Virgin Islands, there is a recognition that 100-percent dependence on renewable energy for electricity may still be a ways off. Therefore we continue to explore all possible alternatives to the fuel-oil derivatives that WAPA currently depends on for the generation of electricity. While less desirable than renewable energy, these fossil fuels hold the potential of producing lower-cost electricity in the short term and creating a bridge to get us to a clean-energy future."
Accompanying deJongh on the tour is DPNR Commissioner Robert Mathes and officials from Hovensa and the V.I. Water and Power Authority.
The tour of the petroleum-coke plant in Louisiana is a followup on discussions between the administration and Hovensa on collaborating to end the energy crisis facing the territory.
"It is our hope that we can get a firsthand account of the operational, financial, and environmental considerations involved in utilizing petroleum coke for electricity production," deJongh said. "If our visit goes as planned, we will be able to better assess its viability as a possible solution."
In the absence of both deJongh and Lt. Gov. Gregory R. Francis, who is also out of the territory this week, Finance Commissioner Claudette Watson-Anderson is serving as acting governor, the release said. DeJongh will return to the territory by mid-week.
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