Acting Gov. Tregenza A. Roach has signed legislation appropriating $2.1 million for repairs and assessments intended to improve power reliability in the St. Thomas-St. John district and $2.3 million to continue the University of the Virgin Islands’ tuition-free scholarship program, according to a Government House press release.
The measures, approved Tuesday, provide funding for repair or replacement of the damaged submarine electrical transmission cable serving St. John, assessments and repairs to Unit 15 at the Randolph Harley Power Plant on St. Thomas, and continued support for the Virgin Islands Higher Education Scholarship Program, the press release stated.
According to the release, Roach signed Bill No. 36-0292, which appropriates $2.1 million to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority for work on the submarine transmission cable and Unit 15. Government House said the projects are expected to improve grid stability in the St. Thomas-St. John district.
The submarine cable serves as the electrical connection between St. Thomas and St. John, while Unit 15 is part of the generating capacity at the Randolph Harley Power Plant, the release stated.
“Reliable electricity is essential to daily life, public safety, health care, business operations and the overall quality of life of our people,” Roach said. “This funding supports work that is intended to have a direct and practical impact on grid stability in the St. Thomas-St. John District, including repair or replacement of the submarine cable serving St. John and critical assessments and repairs to Unit 15 at the Randolph Harley Power Plant. These are necessary steps as we continue the broader work of strengthening the Territory’s energy system.”
Roach also signed Bill No. 36-0296, which appropriates $2.3 million to the University of the Virgin Islands Scholarship Revolving Fund and shifts the program’s funding source from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund to the General Fund, according to Government House.
The measure supports the Virgin Islands Higher Education Scholarship Program, commonly known as the Free Tuition Program, which allows eligible Virgin Islands students to attend UVI without paying tuition costs, the release stated.
Government House noted that Roach introduced the legislation establishing tuition-free education at UVI while serving in the 32nd Legislature.
“This measure is about more than appropriating funds. It is about keeping a promise to Virgin Islands students and families,” Roach said. “When I introduced the legislation to make tuition-free education at UVI possible, it was rooted in a simple belief that the ability to pursue a college degree should not be limited by a family’s ability to pay. Today, by shifting the funding source to the General Fund and providing this appropriation, we are helping to sustain that promise and ensure that more Virgin Islanders have a fair opportunity to prepare themselves for the future.”
According to the release, the program is intended to support workforce development and expand access to higher education by helping eligible students earn undergraduate degrees at UVI.
