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Governor Should Do Something About Big Issues

Dear Source:

Governor deJongh needs a comprehensive energy policy. WAPA is obviously incapable of addressing this issue, with dilapidated equipment and soaring oil prices. The VI Government continues not to pay its WAPA bills. Have all of the offices and buildings owned by the VI Government been assessed by an energy professional, who can give us a blueprint for saving money? For example, why isn't the VI Government replacing all of its lightbulbs with energy efficient bulbs? Why are the Superior Courtrooms freezing? I know there are consultants who have already provided this information to the Governor, and there are additional "consultants" who would not charge tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars to do this assessment.
We have two free renewable resources: the wind and sun, and I find it impossible to believe that there is nothing we can do to harness this energy, so that in the long term, our dependence on WAPA and oil are reduced. What is happening with the companies that proposed alternative energy resources to WAPA? Could the Virgin Islands be an example to the world, as a place where wind and sun are used to power a portion of our islands? If not, why not?
We need experienced people to come in and help the Governor. What is our Governor doing about a comprehensive energy policy, other than acknowledging it is an issue? The Bovoni dump fire suggests strongly that we need to do something with our trash. Should we burn the trash to make power? What about the smoke? Heaven help us if VI Waste Management agrees to "help".
Our tourism industry is going to be impacted by tourists who cannot afford air travel because of the extra fees, which are a direct result of soaring oil prices that are not going to go down. These issues are connected. Who is going to connect the dots and come up with a picture or pictures that help fix these issues that will not go away? We elected Governor deJongh for change. It is time that he tackles these very difficult issues before these issues strangle us!

Julie Evert
St. Thomas

Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.

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