Watch: Bryan Calls For Urgent Funding for WAPA During Special Press Briefing

Last updated at 12:47 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2024: Following today's press briefing, Mr. Bryan told the Consortium that he had sought to call the Senate into session, but opted to declare a state of emergency due to the urgency of the matter.

Original Story: Governor Albert Bryan will host a special press briefing on Monday at 10:00 a.m., where he is expected to seek Senate approval for millions in funding for the V.I. Water and Power Authority, which is struggling to make debt payments, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The governor told the Consortium Saturday that the press conference will focus on energy, and that the funding sought by WAPA isn't new money, but rather what is owed to the authority. "The government just needs to pay the bill," he said, referring to several government agencies that owe WAPA millions, including the hospitals and the V.I. Waste Management Authority. "WAPA isn't asking any more money, just for the government to pay the bills."

WAPA CEO Andrew Smith has made several attempts for at least $7 million from the government, according to people with knowledge of the matter, but has met resistance.