The Finance Committee on Tuesday gave the go-ahead for the V.I. Energy Office to submit a $50,000 grant application to the Million Solar Roofs Initiative Small Grant Program.
Victor Somme III, director of VIEO, said the V.I. Energy Office has a good track record with the Department of Energy.
He added, "Through this initiative the V.I. Energy Office commits to the installation of at least 500 solar energy systems throughout the territory by the year 2010," according to the V.I. Independent.
The committee turned back a request for a lease from a local entrepreneur because it was determined the committee didn't have legal jurisdiction over it, in part because it was for property on landfill. Rental of property on landfill must be approved by the Coastal Zone Management Commission.
Committee Chairwoman Lorraine Berry said that leases submitted to her committee should be reviewed to ensure that all terms required in granting a lease were in place. She said a situation like this only results in unwarranted expenditures and frustration for the leaseholder.
She also said the government should do everything possible to pave the way for entrepreneurs to establish businesses in the Virgin Islands. "Potential investors indicate much reluctance in locating in the Virgin Islands and it behooves government officials to ascertain why and to do something about it," Berry said.
Another bill before the committee to direct the Bureau of Internal Revenue to develop a plan for the redistribution of property in return for tax abatements and other properties was tabled at the request of its sponsor, Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole.
In attendance at the meeting, in addition to Berry and Cole, were Sens. David Jones, Roosevelt David, Anne Golden and George Goodwin.
The Financial Accountability Act addressed by the Finance Committee last week is still making its way through committee. One of the sticking points is the portion that increases the cruise passenger head tax by $2.50 to $10.
Berry and other senators —- among them Senate President Vargrave Richards, Cole and Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste — are still hoping to reach a compromise with the cruise lines that would acceptable to all. Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen is vehemently opposed to the tax.
