Dec. 14, 2006 David B. Cohen, deputy assistant secretary for Insular Affairs, and some of the 'Who's Who' of the alternative energy industry will be on St. Croix Friday at Divi Carina Bay Resort for the Water and Power Authority's fifth annual retreat.
This year's event will focus on alternative and renewable energy.
Daryl "Mickey" Lynch, WAPA governing board chairman, said the retreat will be significant because the board intends to set goals and objectives for a long-term plan for new generation capacity.
Cohen will discuss the recently completed Territorial Energy Assessment Report, which has provided WAPA with recommendations for diversifying the utility's energy portfolio.
He will be accompanied by Joseph A. Gecan, Insular policy specialist with Insular Affairs and manager of the Interior's Island Business Opportunities Conference, recently hosted in Hawaii by the Department of Interior.
Also attending and presenting at the retreat will be Dr. Stephen K. Oney, who will discuss Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Technology for the territory. He is the executive vice president of OCEES International and has spent much of his academic career researching and developing Deep Ocean Water OTEC technologies at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii, where he also worked with the Solar Energy Research Institute.
Ivan Clark, principal and senior director of R.W. Beck and Associates, will discuss the potential for petroleum coke and coal generation facilities on St. Croix. John Tompkins, Elliot Assimakopolous, and Robert Shelton, of CARITrans will present on the development of a Caribbean Power Network.
WAPA Executive Director Alberto Bruno-Vega will discuss the utility's challenges and financial options in furthering its integrated resource plan aimed at lowering the cost of electric and water services. Gov.-elect John P. DeJongh Jr. and Lt. Gov.-elect Gregory Francis have been invited to attend along with private- and public-sector representatives, including the Public Services Commission, Waste Management Authority, the V.I. Energy Office, University of the Virgin Islands, HOVENSA, Office of the Delegate to Congress, Legislature, and the Chambers of Commerce.
The retreat will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be limited seating available for the general public. A fee of $35 will cover meals and refreshments.
For more information, interested parties can contact the Governing Board Office at 773-2250, ext. 4082 or 774-3552, ext. 2004.
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