Weatherization Program to Be Highlighted
Weatherization Day is being recognized in the Virgin Islands on October 28. The media and public officials have been invited to learn how the program will help low-income residents become energy efficient in their homes. The Weatherization Assistance Program’s (WAP) expects to audit and weatherize 800 Virgin Islands homes over the next two years.Details of the program will be explained by WAP staff members at 2 p.m., Oct. 28, in the Energy Office parking lot (behind the Department of Natural Resources building in Estate Mars Hill). For a video about VI WAP go to www.vienergy.org
Also available at the event will be information about the EDIN (Energy Development in Island Nations) project and the collaborative work that is under way to reduce the U.S. Virgin Islands’ dependence on fossil fuel 60 percent by 2025 through energy efficiency efforts and renewable energy development.
Vehicle Rebate Program Ends
The Energy Office announced the closing of the Vehicle Rebate Program on Oct. 19. The program, funded with a grant from the United States Department of Energy, State Energy Program, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, was subject to the availability of funds; therefore can be terminated at any time.
Preliminary information indicates that approximately 85 residents will benefit from rebates ranging from $3100 – $5000. Total program budget was $260,000.
EDIN Conference Set on St. Croix
As part of the ongoing collaboration through the Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN)partnership, the Department of Energy, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, and the Virgin Islands Energy Office will jointly host a workshop to continue work towards the goal of achieving a 60 percent reduction in fossil fuel-derived energy consumption in the Virgin Islands by 2025. This will be the third workshop conducted by the EDIN partnership and continues the discussions started at the workshop held in June on St. Thomas. The workshop will be held Nov. 15-16, at the University of the Virgin Islands – St. Croix Campus. For a recent news story about EDIN- USVI go to https://stcroixsource.com/content/news/local-news/2010/10/22/plans-afoot-reduce-fossil-fuel-consumption
V. I. Energy Office Now on Facebook
The Virgin Islands Energy Office now has a presence on facebook. You can see the new page by clicking Virgin Islands Energy Office. The Energy Office plans to maintain this page to give easier access to items like videos, photographs, new articles and upcoming events.
