June 2, 2009 — The Public Services Commission held the second of three public hearings on water and electric rate investigations of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority. The only thing missing at Tuesday’s hearing was the public.
The hearing was to allow the public to hear the process involved, the proposed rates agreed upon, reasons for those settlements and, perhaps most importantly, to allow them time to ask questions and express any concerns.
"I am extremely surprised none of the merchants from downtown are here," stated Boyd Sprehn, one of the attorneys representing the PSC.
WAPA is eligible to apply for rate increases every five years. Once they have petitioned for an increase, a hearing examiner is appointed by the commission and the PSC staff, including technical consultants, then begins an investigation that includes WAPA’s financial information, current operations, business planning and strategy. The PSC staff then submits testimony based on their investigation.
As one of the largest consumers of both water and electricity outside of the Virgin Islands Government, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Resort applied for and was granted status as an intervening party.
Through a long process of negotiations, the PSC staff and WAPA arrived at an agreed settlement. The settlement is also being recommended by Frenchman’s Reef, represented by attorney Daryl Dodson.
In keeping with the times, one of the common goals that will hopefully take place as a result of the increases is the development of alternative energy sources for electricity, thereby reducing the territory’s reliance on fuel oils, and new water production equipment designed to be more energy and cost efficient.
The final hearing will take place Wednesday at the V.I. Port Authority Conference Room at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix at 6 p.m.
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