Governor Declares State of Energy Emergency in the US Virgin Islands

In response to escalating energy challenges, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. of the United States Virgin Islands has issued Executive Order No. 537-2024, declaring a State of Energy Emergency.

The proclamation comes amidst mounting concerns over the stability of the territory’s power supply, exacerbated by global geopolitical tensions and local financial strains.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the price of oil has been in a constant state of flux, impacting vital resources like diesel fuel and liquid propane. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East further compounds uncertainties surrounding crude oil prices. These fluctuations have placed immense strain on the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA), hindering its ability to meet financial obligations to critical vendors.

As a consequence of payment delays, critical vendors have begun withholding services, precipitating rotating power outages across the territory. These outages not only threaten the health, safety, and economic stability of Virgin Islanders but also jeopardize the operation of essential services, including medical facilities and social service providers.

In response to the crisis, Governor Bryan has invoked his authority under Title 23, Section 1005 of the Virgin Islands Code to declare a State of Energy Emergency, effective immediately. The declaration empowers the Director of the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) to activate the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) on St. Croix.

Furthermore, Governor Bryan has designated Daryl D. Jaschen as the Territorial Coordinating Officer (TCO) and Jenifer O’Neal as the Incident Commander to oversee the territorial response. Their directives include safeguarding public health, safety, and economic stability, as well as activating disaster preparation, response, and recovery plans.

To expedite the procurement of essential resources, Governor Bryan has suspended the provisions of Title 31, Chapter 23, Section 236 of the Virgin Islands Code pertaining to formal advertising of competitive bids. This measure aims to streamline the acquisition of goods and services crucial to energy production.

Governor Bryan calls upon all agencies under his direction to collaborate fully with the Incident Commander and TCO, emphasising the importance of a unified response to the energy crisis.