Senate President Milton E. Potter today clarified the intent and context surrounding Bill No. 36-0197, legislation proposing to allow the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) Governing Board to set compensation rates for nongovernment members and to streamline quorum requirements for effective governance.
Contrary to recent media reporting, no request for comment was ever made to the Office of the Senate President before publication. Had that courtesy been extended, the public would have been accurately informed that this initiative was based on professional recommendations, not political motivation.
The legislation derives directly from the findings of Ernst & Young (E&Y), the internationally recognized energy consulting firm retained by the Virgin Islands Government to provide a comprehensive, objective analysis of WAPA’s operations and governance structure. E&Y’s assessment emphasized the urgent need to enhance WAPA’s governance capacity by recruiting highly qualified industry professionals with proven expertise in utility management, finance, and energy systems. Compensation parity, as recommended by E&Y, is a key element to attract and retain such subject matter experts who can help steer the Authority toward financial and operational stability.
“WAPA’s challenges are systemic and technical in nature. To achieve meaningful reform, we must ensure that the agency’s leadership, beginning with its board, is equipped with expert talent that can provide credible oversight and strategic direction,” said Senate President Potter. “This bill takes a step toward depoliticizing WAPA’s governance and aligning board compensation with best practices in the utility sector.”
Potter emphasized that transparency, accountability, and competence remain top priorities for the Legislature in tackling the longstanding issues that have burdened the Virgin Islands’ power system. The measure ensures that policy direction remains distinct from administrative management while advancing a governance model rooted in expertise and responsibility.
“Ultimately, this is about stabilizing WAPA for the people of the Virgin Islands,” Potter stated. “We must focus on solutions that strengthen the institution, improve reliability, and restore public trust.”
