Press Releases

CONGRESSWOMAN STACEY E. PLASKETT ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION FEMA GRANT FOR THE V.I. WATER AND POWER AUTHORITY IN ST JOHN

 Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement regarding $1,066,500.00 in federal funding to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) for electrical distribution repairs on St. John:

“Today, I am pleased to announce a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant of $1,066,500.00 is federal funding to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) for electrical distribution repairs on St. John.

“Hurricane Maria made landfall bringing hurricane force winds and heavy rains, causing catastrophic damages to the U.S. Virgin Islands, including St. John.  As a result, WAPA suffered damages to the electrical distribution system and infrastructure on St. John.  Approximately 90% of overhead power distribution was damaged, resulting in numerous outages to commercial and residential customers.  In response, WAPA will use force account labor, equipment, and material and contractor services to restore the facilities to pre-disaster design, capacity, and function.

“This important grant will benefit the Virgin Islands, particularly St. John, tremendously in our ongoing rebuilding efforts. The United States government has an obligation to work with our territory to restore infrastructure, provide critical humanitarian assistance, and help rebuild our islands.”

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