Virgin Islanders Petition for Federal Help With WAPA Amidst Ongoing Energy Crisis

Residents demand Governor Bryan to stabilize power as WAPA struggles with infrastructure failures, impacting daily life and business operations

Frustrated Virgin Islanders have launched a petition asking Governor Albert Bryan Jr. to seek immediate federal assistance in stabilizing the territory’s energy infrastructure.

After weeks of power fluctuations, outages, and rotations, the V.I. Water and Power Authority continues to work to repair a damaged undersea cable linking the St. Thomas power distribution system to St. John.

Last Thursday, on St. Johnian had enough. Under the name “Bean Bruno”, the individual began an online petition on change.org urging Governor Bryan to seek immediate federal support to provide relief. “Our power grid is barely functioning. We are living in hazardous conditions and our businesses have lost revenues. The consistent lack of electricity poses a threat to our security and well-being,” the call-to-action reads. WAPA customers in the St. Thomas-St. John District have been plagued with constant power outages and rotating blackouts. Senator Samuel Carrion recently called on Mr. Bryan to seek help from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.