Dear Source:
I am writing in response to Mr. Tiblier's forum. I have asked this question before, why should WAPA look for another source when they have a monopoly on the market? The government of the Virgin Islands was smart enough to sell its only power supply company, and in return the customers are getting to pay for the sale.
I saw a news story on Channel 8 news in which Wes Small interviewed Ms. Cassandra Dunn. In this interview Ms. Dunn explained that WAPA purchases oil from HOVENSA at approximately $102 per barrel and WAPA sells it to us at an approximate cost of $92 per barrel. With an approximate usage of 220,000 barrels per month, WAPA can no longer bear the losses of approximately $2.2 million per month.
Now this is where things get tricky, at least in my opinion. First of all, no business eats losses, not if they expect to stay in business. Secondly, as a regular customer, if we are late on our bills by a month (our bill may be $150 – $200 per month), we get our utilities disconnected. In the case of the government, their bills have reached the millions, and nothing has happened, at least not to them. Things that make you go hmmmm.
So l say again, with consumers having nowhere else to go, or not being able to afford the alternatives, WAPA has no reason to put itself in a position to cut into its profits. We would only hope that the PSC (http://www.psc.gov.vi/home/about.htm) would help us out, but no such luck. I agree with you Mr. Tiblier, but it appears in the end, we are left to fend for ourselves.
Gary A. Moore
St. Croix
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