Bryan Admits WAPA's Weaknesses Leave Territory Exposed as Storms Approach

“People clearly have to see that WAPA doesn’t have the means to do bush cutting,” Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said, weighing in on the question of the week: the Water and Power Authority’s ability to prepare itself for another tropical weather system this season.

‌The governor sat down with Consortium founder Ernice Gilbert on Wednesday night for a wide-ranging discussion. They spent a significant chunk of time discussing the territory’s struggling water and energy utility, with Mr. Gilbert initially pressing the governor on the presumed “reactive” nature of WAPA’s hurricane preparedness under his administration.

Focusing on the issue of overgrown vegetation threatening power lines, Governor Bryan offered some context. “It’s been raining since January, and it hasn’t stopped,” he declared. Noting that other agencies have been struggling to adequately maintain the grassy verges of the roadways, the governor argued that WAPA is particularly ill-equipped to handle their own challenges managing vegetation. “They barely have the means to purchase generators and do the day-to-day business,” Governor Bryan reminded the public.‌

Facing further questioning, Governor Bryan pointed out that hiring external service providers to handle tree trimming would cost money that WAPA just doesn’t have. He recounted how the government’s past due energy bill had to be hastily paid to ensure that the power supply to St. Croix was not turned off. “I mean, that’s how serious it is.” The lack of cash extends to the ability of WAPA to pay its suppliers as well. “You’re talking about sending out a crew, WAPA has over $100 million in due payments to people,” Governor Bryan said, underlining the utility company’s precarious financial circumstances. “I can’t express how much concern and how serious our energy situation is,” he emphasized.‌