Conflicting Objectives: Energy Plans Fizzle
This is the tale of two energy entrepreneurs whose journey to free the Virgin Islands from the grip of fossil fuels has stalled at a guardhouse erected by the VI government bureaucracy.
The first tale was sent to us by Steffen Larsen, who has built his business, Mitchell-Larsen Studios, on a foundation of alternate energy principles. After increasing frustration with inaction from Government officials, and their apparent reluctance to resolve the conflicting objectives of energy efficiency and WAPA’s profitability, Mr. Larsen paid for and published a full page ad in the July 21st Virgin island Daily News.
The story chronicles repeated attempts to garner the attention of those who carry the public responsibility of moving these energy initiatives forward but fail repeatedly because, in his words, “whenever you are a politician, there is no good time to interfere with WAPA.”
The second story came to CIF after we posted a story questioning the apparent lack of execution around those projects that could, and should, be funded from the Stimulus Funds appropriated to the VI Department of Energy ($8 million) from President Obama’s American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). (see Where Oh Where Has The Stimulus Gone?)
Dr. Manny da Motta is a partner in Solar Solutions, LLC, a St. Croix based company that converts electric water heaters to operate on solar energy. His story is one that has become all too familiar – a promising and relevant local business venture being crippled by unkept promises and an outdated bureaucracy. His experience with the VI Energy Office should be troubling to anyone who understands the critical need to support local businesses, with local employees, who are trying to move these islands to a place of energy independence.
His plea to Governor John P. deJongh, Jr, has thus far gone unanswered, and reflects the growing frustration around this and many other issues affecting us now and in the future. He wrote, “Governor, you have an obligation to us as citizens. Where is this $8M that went to energy on July 6? What was it used for? Where are all these programs that were supposed to benefit from the ARRA money? WHY IS THERE NO INFORMATION?”
Why indeed?
(Note: The copy of Mr. Larsen’s ad, reprinted here with permission, contains a photograph of a group of WAPA employees who visited with him to see how alternate energy options were being used at his business. They did not contribute in any way to the text of the advertisement reprinted here. )
“We cannot afford waste and mismanagement. The best dollar we have to spend wisely is the one we have now but are about to waste. Stopping the waste and enforcing greater discipline on Government spending is the first step.”
“Debt financing for capital projects and economic stimulation must be done far more efficiently. Bond money is not “play money” — it must be borrowed efficiently, spent wisely.”
“All Government financial records must be open and accessible to the public. These records should be made available on a Government website.”
ALL STATEMENTS WERE MADE BY HYPOCRITE GOVERNOR JOHN P. DE JONGH, JR.
http://webarchives.loc.gov/collections/lcwa0006/20021004095428/http://www.dejongharnold.com/financial.html
GOVERNOR JOHN P. DE JONGH, JR., AND MAY ADAMS CORNWALL IS IN THE PROCESS OF SPENDING BADLY NEEDED VIRGIN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT FUNDS ON A PRIVATE ASSOCIATE CONFERENCE. THIS CWWA ASSOCIATION IS “IN FACT” GOING TO MAKE A HEFTY “PROFIT” OFF OF ITS 18TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN ST. THOMAS AND THEY KNOW IT. THEY ARE ALSO MAKING MONEY OFF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THROUGH DE JONGH ADMINISTRATION SPONSORSHIP.
NOT ONLY DID GOVERNOR JOHN P. DE JONGH, JR. SPEND BADLY NEEDED PUBLIC FUNDS ON CORNWALL’S CONFERENCE, THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO BLESSED CORNWALL PLANS OF CONTRACTING WORK OUT TO A COMPANY FROM PUERTO RICO TO BRING IN AND SET UP EQUIPMENT (TABLES, ETC) THAT WILL BE USED BY SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS.
PUERTO RICO HAD PULLED OUT OF SPONSORING THE CWWA CONFERENCE DUE TO HARD ECONOMIC TIMES. GOVERNOR JOHN P. DE JONGH, JR., IN TURN TAKES VIRGIN ISLANDS TAX PAYERS MONEY AND SPENDS IT ON MAY CORNWALL AND PUERTO RICO WITHOUT ANY REGARDS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.
GO TO THE FRENCHMAN REEF ON ST. THOMAS THIS WEEKEND AND SEE WHO IS SETTING UP DISPLAY TABLES AND ASK THEM WHERE THERE FROM.
THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE GETTING SCREWED ROYALLY AND DON’T EVEN KNOW IT. SO MUCH CORRUPTION GOING UNCHECKED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY IS JUST LAYING DOWN TAKING ALL OF THIS ABUSE. EVEN SENATORS IN THE 28TH VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE ARE SAYING THEY TOO ARE GETTING “PLAYED” BY THE GOVERNOR.
THIS IS VERY DISGRACEFUL.
-Diageo brought in contractors to build their factory with local, public funds.
-The CWWA organizers is allegedly bringing in contractors to setup for the conference using public funds.
-Governor deJongh brought in contractors to setup the e911 system using public funds.
Why do I have the feeling there is no sincere desire on the part of our Government to employ locally and stimulate, much less grow, our economy?