Crucians In Focus

On Tuesday, the PSC board approved a 22.9-percent increase in the electric Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause (LEAC) rate and a 14.6 percent increase in the water LEAC rate. This action will raise the average monthly residential electric bill to $209.29 and the average residential water bill to $63.16 for a household using 2,400 gallons a month, according to the St. Thomas Source newspaper.

We are all aware of the global energy crisis – this is not a territory specific problem. But this is a multi-layered problem and the only option that was executed is one that places the financial burden on the backs of the residents of the territory – residents who are already struggling with the cost of other basics like food, recently shown to outpace urban mainland locations in cost. Read the rest of this entry »

Guest Opinion by Gonzalo Rivera

Eighteen months ago we went to the polls and elected a new governor and fifteen senators to represent us, yet today we are faced with the same challenges that existed at the time. Only difference between now and then is the fact that our representatives receive a bigger salary in exchange for increasing the number of people living in poverty.

The challenges related to families living below the poverty level, the escalating crime problem, the high cost of living to include the WAPA issue, the education of our children and accountability and transparency in government have all worsen. They voted to allow finance companies to charge more interests for unsecured loans. They set aside money to pay for illegal contracts for a second time and approved increases for government employees to pay more for their healthcare plan and medications. Read the rest of this entry »

What would candidate deJongh do to address our most pressing issue; the cost of living?

To date, we have witnessed:
-Press releases and press conferences on the formation of committees and task force groups Read the rest of this entry »

Buckling under the pressure of the frequent rate increases? Impatient waiting for action from your government? Candidate deJongh’s reply in the October 31, 2006 VI Daily News Voter Guide: (click image below to view)

Talks only started on March 14th of 2008 , a whole year and 3 months after inauguration. We hope progress comes before “pressure bust pipe” but we’re not holding our breath.

Guest Opinion by Dwane A. Callwood

I would like to take the opportunity to offer what I perceive to be a viable solution to our current energy crisis, here in the US Virgin Islands. Before I get into the specifics, please allow me to preface my idea with certain acknowledgments. I acknowledge that the energy crisis is by no means limited to the Virgin Islands. However, the fact that we have the third largest refinery in the Western hemisphere located within our borders should put us in a unique position, when you consider that HOVENSA purchases raw crude from Venezuela at vastly reduced prices. Read the rest of this entry »

In late 2007, Mario Moorehead voiced a plan to fund a new power plant in an effort to address the crisis we are experiencing with our WAPA rates. Feel free to voice your opinion on the plan which we have summarized below: Read the rest of this entry »

Guest Opinion by G.O. Figure

News from Government House is that a couple of Bookend Rasputins are conjuring and using beaucoup fuzzy science to write an energy policy for the territory. This on the heels of the Legislature’s recent edict of spite, one-ups-manship for the Governor’s senseless move of the Energy Office from DPNR to the Office of the Governor. Read the rest of this entry »

Guest Opinion by Verdel L. Petersen

The monster has grown to astronomical capacity, so has its ferocious appetite. It constantly gobbles, but is never satiated. The terror it evokes in the territory has some panic-strickened. When will this living nightmare cease? Will we eventually be consumed by the beast? Read the rest of this entry »