The U.S. Virgin Islands is in a WATER AND POWER CRISIS.

The People of the U.S. Virgin Islands demand accountability and immediate action.  For over 25 years, the citizens of the U.S Virgin Islands have been impacted by price gouging practices of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA).  Numerous citizens report receiving power and water bills in excess of $3,000 on a monthly basis with a demand for payment without an explanation of services, despite homes being vacant , having one resident, often seniors on fixed incomes and even some without power meters. The water supply is dangerous and cannot be consumed, causing consumers to purchase water in plastic bottles daily, further complicating our ecosystem and water supplies with constant plastic bottle waste.

WAPA has threatened to terminate services from citizens that have yet to receive an explanation on the outrageous bills received on a monthly basis, furthering the economic divide and deepening the poverty levels. Over the last three months power outages have become a normal way of life, disrupting business, education and health needs of Virgin Islanders. Imagine being in the middle of a surgery and the power goes off-- this is EXACTLY what happens on a daily basis now in the U.S Virgin Islands. Children cannot learn in the dark. Businesses cannot conduct business without power. Government agencies are consistently closed while we the tax payers continue to pay for each and every closing while no work is being done.

Citizens are turning on their water faucets to see brown water coming out of their faucets. They are still demanding to pay for WAPA services. The water is not safe to cook  with and not even safe to bathe with. Something has to change. 

We the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands demand the following:

#1 - We demand that the Governor of the U.S Virgin Islands declare an energy and water crisis in the U.S Virgin Islands.

#2 -We demand that the delegate of the U.S Virgin Islands declare an energy and water crisis in the U.S Virgin Islands in solidarity with the Governor of the US Virgin Islands. 

# 3- We demand that the Senators of the US Virgin Islands declare an energy and water crisis in the US Virgin Islands in solidarity with the delegate and governor of the US Virgin Islands.

#4- We demand that the Federal Government intervene and appoint an external agency to oversee the operations of WAPA until a replacement or complete restructuring of WAPA takes place.

#5- We demand that all current board members of WAPA be removed from their seats immediately.

#6 We demand that all senior level staff in WAPA be terminated effective immediately  - During a hearing that took place on 10/1/2019, the  CFO of WAPA testified that she has a company credit credit with a limit of $100,000 with some personal allowed expenses on it. She must be removed immediately.

#7 We demand that the governor of the US Virgin Islands convene a full financial audit of WAPA from 2015 - present and make the findings available to Virgin Islanders upon the completion of the audit.

-Over $2million was wired to an offshore accounts from WAPA with no reasonable explanation- We need answers on this transaction.

-Multiple unused facilities are being paid for by WAPA using public funds. We demand  to know who owns those properties and who allowed these facilities to be paid for without use on the backs of the citizens.

#8 -  We demand a complete audit on ALL billings of all residents in the US Virgin Islands from 2015-to date, producing credits in services for those accounts that have been overpaid and the option for refunds as needed.

#9 - We demand swift prosecution of ANY WAPA employee found to have misused WAPA funds, to include any employee or board member found to have benefitted personally from WAPA in an inappropriate manner.

Over 50% of residents in the U.S. Virgin Islands live at or below the Federal poverty guidelines, we will NOT continue to be victimized by WAPA. We demand answers and accountability now. #WAPAMUSTGO