Virgin Islands residents will soon be calling the V.I. Water and Power Authority instead of the Department of Public Works to complain about a burned out street light.
At a WAPA board meeting Friday, members approved draft legislation that will turn over responsibility for the territory’s street lights from Public Works to WAPA. The proposed bill will be forwarded to Government House by WAPA board chairwoman Carol Burke.
According to WAPA officials, the transfer will extend street light service and reduce the amount of money the government owes the semi-autonomous utility. The proposal seeks to fund streetlight costs through a surcharge on electric bills that will be established by the V.I. Public Services Commission. The surcharge will fluctuate based on worldwide oil market prices.
In other board action, a $10-million draw down on WAPA’s line of credit was approved. The majority of the money, $9 million, will be used on the electrical system while the balance will be spent on the water system.
The board also announced the hiring of Edward Milligan acting assistant executive director for St. Croix. Milligan, a former WAPA board member, will take the place of Gregory Willocks. Willocks left WAPA last summer after workers staged a brief walkout protest over his management style. The assistant executive director oversees St. Croix operations for the public utility.
