Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett led a delegation of Virgin Islands energy officials Monday at the first Caribbean Energy Security Summit in Washington DC.
The summit, organized by the U.S. State Department and hosted by Vice President Joe Biden, is a two-day meeting of energy officials from both the U.S. and Canada, as well as several Caribbean heads of state.
Congresswoman Plaskett said that she is honored to lead the Virgin Islands delegation and has started talks with the U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and other Energy Department officials on ways to work together toward promoting energy security in the Virgin Islands, as well as the Caribbean Basin.
“I am honored to be leading the U.S. Virgin Islands Delegation at this important Summit. Our seat at this table ensures our voice will be a critical addition to the discussion. In my conversation with Secretary Moniz I underscored the energy challenges facing our Islands. I am encouraged by the willingness of all the Heads of Delegation to work together and build a roadmap for cooperation to promote energy security in the Caribbean,” Plaskett said
During the summit’s welcome reception Sunday evening, Plaskett emphasized her willingness to collaborate with the heads of state of the Caribbean nations in attendance, and vowed that she will work in calling to attention the energy concerns of the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as their respective Island-nations in Congress.
"I spoke with several heads of state of our neighboring Caribbean Islands Sunday evening, reiterated my support for a new coalition in promoting our energy security in the region, and vowed to be a voice for not only our four U.S. Virgin Islands here in Washington, but for the Caribbean region as well. As a result of those discussions, the U.S. Virgin Islands will have a seat at the table at an upcoming meeting of CARICOM leaders," Plaskett said.
The Virgin Islands’ delegation to the first Energy Security Summit includes Congresswoman Plaskett, her staff and the newly appointed director of the Virgin Islands Energy Office, Elmo Roebuck.
