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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
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Winds Of Change

Dear Source:
Open Forum is finally lighting up re: Movement on going green.
A great move of the Energy Office from under the covers of D.P.N.R. and running out of the Office of the Governor. The Department is just not up to speed with the technology available to free residents and businesses from WAPA. The Virgin Islands are blessed with sun and wind, the two most essential elements needed to run our homes and businesses.
The cost of solar panels/invertors/wind generators etc. are becoming very affordable whereas a homeowner can now benefit by connecting to grid or even completely generate enough power to get off of the WAPA mailing list. The initial investment vs. the pay-off, independence. The Energy Office driven by Mr. Bevan Smith unleashed will be most beneficial to all. Lets streamline the permitting process, whereas the Energy Office and WAPA may examine and approve the projects more expeditiously. Case and point; I submitted a permit for the installation of a wind generator 2 months ago and still at this point have not received an approved copy taking into consideration the foundation is a 6x6x3 hole. The Earth Change is sent to St. Croix for inspection and approval then back to St. Thomas for a building permit, the extremes for a 2-day project. The Department Of Planning do outstanding work with the manpower they have, and the recent changes in the permitting departments paper work sends a message that the Commissioner is rolling the ball in the right direction, now lets provide him with the manpower to complete his mission.
Their are grants available for residents/schools/small business, lets move on lighting up a small school totally off grid and use that as a learning center for the all, its easier than a good senator can imagine. Lets remember we get there by votes not by brains.
Mr. Bevan Smith and his talented team are on a mission one of the future which is around the corner. Provide this office with the needs and the office will provide the community with the knowledge to bridge the gap between a dollar and a watt. Lets not forget the rebates that are provided with the purchases.
Steve Serge
St. Thomas

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