1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

I am requesting congressional support for U.S. Virgin Islands Senator Ray Fonseca’s proposal for federal assistance and oversight of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA), potentially involving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Nearly nine years after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, American citizens on St. John and St. Thomas continue to experience frequent and prolonged power outages. Meanwhile, approximately $1.3 billion in federal hurricane-recovery funding remains unspent. WAPA already has infrastructure, employees, contractors, and federally funded improvement projects. What is urgently needed is experienced professional management, accountability, and the ability to execute critical generator and electrical distribution repairs. I urge Congress to examine Senator Fonseca’s proposal and work with FEMA, HUD, and the Department of Energy to establish effective federal assistance, ensure existing recovery funds are put to work, and restore reliable electrical service. The people of the Virgin Islands deserve functioning infrastructure, not another decade of delays. Please let me know what action your office will take to address this crisis.