WAPA Board Votes to Raise Rates

And we the people just have to accept it. So because gas prices are down and our bills have been less its ok to make us pay a little more to help bail out their crappy setup. They forget all those times when we were all getting crushed with ridiculous bills because gas was expensive. And after they save up the cash they need (lets see if that even happens) they will decide what the new base rate will be.

As usual we are getting shafted

whats new-the customer always gets the shaft

Not only are they raising the rates, but the promised rate decrease due to propane switch won't happen. So they get more money from a rate increase AND from the propane savings.

Not only are they raising the rates, but the promised rate decrease due to propane switch won't happen.

Where are you reading that? The STX solar project has very recently become operational and the STT project will follow while the gas switch is still not fully operational. I don't see anything which says that the expected future decreases have been nixed.

Apparently they're having considerable difficulties with the propane conversion on STX. But, I don't really care much about WAPA anymore since I've gone solar and get a credit every month.

STX switched to propane April 4th. Rates did not change.

I didn't think that happens as planned...am I wrong?

I didn't think that happens as planned...am I wrong?

Yep, you are right. That was testing. Implementation scheduled for July.

So maybe they will raise rate snow, then reduce in July?

The problem is that VI Government agencies owes WAPA over $31 MILLION DOLLARS which they could have budgeted to pay down with the $200 Million they received from the sale of Hovensa.

STX is still on fuel oil. They have not had all the approvals needed to switch to LP. Right now LP cost more the oil. When WAPA makes statements about rates, they add lots of fluff talk about conversation to LP and solar that is saving us money. Truth is, oil prices are low right now. When the do finally switch to LP, I wonder what they will blame the rate increase on?

Doesn't the PSC have to approve this?...just asking!

Doesn't the PSC have to approve this?...just asking!

Yes, as noted in the article linked.

Yes, PSC must approve any rate increases.
Often, they don't but the fact remains that WAPA is in financial trouble due solely to the Government's inability to pay its bills which creates the need for increases to be passed on to us.

They should just turn off the lights at the VI Legislature buildings on all 3 islands until the bills are paid.

Power outage - Sat 9:30 am - STT Crown Mt. -- saving money now!!

Yes, PSC must approve any rate increases.
Often, they don't but the fact remains that WAPA is in financial trouble due solely to the Government's inability to pay its bills which creates the need for increases to be passed on to us.

They should just turn off the lights at the VI Legislature buildings on all 3 islands until the bills are paid.

(tu)(tu)

Power outage - Sat 9:30 am - STT Crown Mt. -- saving money now!!

There was a 3 hour scheduled outage part of North side yesterday morning for transfer of lines to a new pole (which only lasted for one hour) but the Crown Mountain outage must be isolated as where I am North side the power is fine.

They should just turn off the lights at the VI Legislature buildings on all 3 islands until the bills are paid.

Love that idea!. Only I get the feeling we'd end up paying to put the whole lot of them up on another island somewhere because they'd say they can't work in the dark.

They do their best work in the dark!

They should just turn off the lights at the VI Legislature buildings on all 3 islands until the bills are paid.

Turn off the lights in their houses.

http://stthomassource.com/content/news/local-news/2016/05/23/wapa-consultant-presents-integrated-resource-plan

Was anybody on this forum from St Croix amongst the "less than two dozen" residents at yesterday's public forum?

Tonight's forum is on STT, followed by the same on St John.

Not me.

Who from STT went?

I did not attend on STX. I must say, attending won't change a damn thing. Remember the WAPA protests on STX outside government house, a few years ago? No good came of that either...

Who from STT went?

I did not attend on STX. I must say, attending won't change a damn thing. Remember the WAPA protests on STX outside government house, a few years ago? No good came of that either...

I look forward to being able to attend public meetings in the future. I don't subscribe to the apathetic "my attendance/input won't change a damn thing" position. It's that pervasive attitude which stymies any hope of change.

Nothing really changes with WAPA regardless of who is running it. Say/promise one thing and do the opposite within a few months. Also nothing changes when they WAPA need more revenue, they go after the non-government customers. The government has owed them millions of dollars for years and it's the same old merry go round.