Energy & Infrastructure

Problem

The Virgin Islands is facing an energy and infrastructure crisis. Families and businesses pay some of the highest electricity rates in the region, often 2–3 times the U.S. average, yet still endure frequent outages that disrupt daily life, threaten public safety, and increase the cost of living.

Solution

• Launch the largest energy and utility modernization effort in Virgin Islands history to deliver reliable, affordable power and clean water to every community.
• Diversify power generation through a public-private partnership that increases capacity, lowers costs, and improves reliability.
• Direct WAPA to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for energy generation partners
• Leverage private-sector expertise and investment while maintaining strong public oversight
• Protect and expand local jobs through workforce training
• Build a sunset provision into the partnership, transitioning the arrangement once WAPA meets defined reliability and performance benchmarks and is stabilized
• Accelerate the transition to a modern, resilient, and affordable energy system.
• Direct WAPA to present to the Virgin Islands community a three-year strategic plan with measurable goals, timelines, and performance benchmarks on a public facing dashboard
• Advance an emergency energy resiliency initiative that leverages temporary utility-scale generation providers, mobile battery storage, and rapid-response power solutions to stabilize the grid, reduce outages, and support economic continuity during long-term infrastructure redevelopment.
• Accelerate large-scale solar farms with battery energy storage systems (BESS) — e.g., advancing Bovoni and Fortuna solar projects to integrate more renewables and stabilize supply.
• Pursue portions of the Territory Energy Security Plan and goals for higher renewable penetration (e.g., solar, wind, and potential other alternatives).
• Upgrade grid infrastructure for resilience (e.g. hardening against storms, improving transmission, and adding microgrids or distributed generation).
• Explore propane/natural gas transitions where feasible, while prioritizing clean energy to reduce fuel import dependency
• Implement community solar incentives, energy efficiency programs, and potential private partnerships to lower costs long-term
• Evaluate waste-to-energy solutions including technologies that convert landfill waste into energy

Impact

Lower electricity bills, fewer outages, more reliable power, and a more resilient and sustainable energy system.

Problem

Homes on WAPA's potable water system receive brown water, a stark reminder of decades of underinvestment and failing infrastructure.

Solution

• Develop a strategic plan to fast track the replacement of the portable water system infrastructure to eliminate brown water and mobilize existing funding to get to project completion.
• Direct the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority to present the Virgin Islands community a three to five year strategic plan with measurable goals, timelines, and performance benchmarks on a public facing dashboard.

Impact

Clean potable water delivered to our communities.

Problem

Poor road conditions, including potholes, flooding, and lack of good lighting, create safety risks and damage vehicles.

Solution

• Launch a mobile reporting app tied to DPW's system so residents can log issues like potholes and road light outages with real-time status updates
• Establish a dedicated rapid-response pothole and maintenance team with regular island-wide inspections and quick-repair protocols
• Formalize a comprehensive road maintenance plan covering cleaning, vegetation control, striping, and signage, supported by digital tracking of schedules, costs, and resources

Impact

Safer roads, reduced vehicle repair costs, improved mobility for drivers, and resilient infrastructure that can better withstand storms.