The public will at last be able to officially voice its opinion in early August on the proposed sale of a part of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority.
Senate President Vargrave Richards Friday announced three public hearings — one on each island – to address the issue of Atlanta based Southern Energy Inc.'s proposal to buy an 80 percent share of WAPA's water and powers systems for $105 million.
There has been constant debate in the territory about the offer. Southern Energy is running a massive public information campaign, while many WAPA employees and others vocally oppose the sale.
Last Sunday WAPA workers held a large demonstration, with a motorcade from WAPA's Krum Bay plant to the municipal parking lot where several speakers offered alternative plans to the proposed sale. The speakers proposed an employee-owned operation, or a power coop modeled after similar ones on the mainland.
In the meantime, town meetings are being held on St. Croix and St. Thomas this week to hear experts on electric cooperatives discuss possible options to the sale.
The entire proposal can be accessed at www.usvi.org.It is also published at the VIAccess site at www.viaccess.net or can be accessed by entering "WAPA Southern Energy" on Google Search.
Gov. Turnbull has approved the sale, and sent appropriate legislation to the Senate. The senators will not act on it until after the hearings, and until a study of the sale is completed.
In June the Senate awarded $250,000 to the consulting firm of Arthur D. Little for an analysis of the sale, which is currently being conducted.
The hearings begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8 on St. Thomas in the Senate chambers, and the same time Wednesday, Aug. 9 at the Legislature in Frederiksted, St. Croix and Thursday, Aug. 10 at the Legislature Conference Room on St. John .
Richards, in his statement, encouraged all interested citizens and groups to come to the hearings.
He said parties should call his office to make arrangements. Phone (340) 693-3504 or fax (340) 693-3642 for St. Thomas or St. John. For St. Croix phone is (340) 712-2266 or fax (340) 773-4748.
Written testimony and related documents should be provided in multiple copies for distribution. Testimony will be limited to five minutes for an individual or organization.
