Reaction was mixed among Senators Thursday following a Government House briefing at which Gov. Charles Turnbull presented his plan for the proposed joint venture with Southern Energy, a package valued at $380 million.
Senators were largely noncommittal. Of those who were willing to indicate their leanings, Senator At Large Almando "Rocky" Liburd blamed the problems with the public utility on management and therefore questioned whether selling it was the best solution.
"All of the problems I have heard about so far are management issues," Liburd said. "If management is the problem, we ought to be looking and changing either the managers or the management structure at WAPA. Selling is a last resort."
A similar opinion came from Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole. He questioned whether all has been done that can be done to improve management of the utility short of selling it off.
Equally uncommitted to the sale but for different reasons was Sen. Roosevelt David, who said he will wait until all the details are in before deciding whether the sale is in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands.
Sen. Lorraine Berry also said she was uncommitted, but that she would be up front about her position as more details emerge.
The Turnbull administration has negotiated a deal with Southern Energy to sell an 80 percent interest in the Water and Power Authority for 25 years. There are benefits for the government, including a cash payment of $105 million, assumption of $153 million in WAPA bonds and forgiveness of a utility debt of $24 million. The V.I. would maintain a 20 percent interest with unprecedented minority veto power, proportionate annual revenue payments, and guarantees for current employees.
The Legislature will have the final say on the joint venture, which was negotiated by a team assembled by the administration. Ten of the 15 members of the Senate were present for Thursday's briefing.
Absent were Sens. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, Adelbert Bryan, Judy Gomez, Norman John-Baptiste and Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg.
