Dear Source:
The Public Services Commission apparently either smartened up legally or acknowledged constructive public criticism concerning their previous denial of LEAC rate hikes – and rightfully so because that really was a no- brainer.
What is discomfiting is that Alberto Bruno-Vega is quoted as saying, "In the short term, I feel very strongly that the biggest contribution can be made by the customer turning away from WAPA…expanded use of alternative power, such as solar, will be the best way for customers to reduce their bills."
I would ask Mr. Bruno-Vega, to pray tell how the average "customer" can financially get off the grid and go to solar energy on a cost-effective basis.
Solar energy should have been in the forefront where the Virgin Islands is concerned well over 30 years ago but it has never been seriously addressed and, today, is totally cost-prohibitive for locals.
An individual owner of either a home or a small business simply doesn't have the money to purchase the alternative sources.
The average home-owner and the average small business owner has been knocking off its socks trying to pay WAPA in the last two months and I would venture to guess that, in the next couple of months, not only will homeowners be shut off for non-payment but small businesses will suffer the same fate.
And then where shall we go?
Anna Clarke
St. Thomas
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