Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett Announces $113,000,000.00 Fema Grant V.I. Water and Power Authority / St John

Statement

Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement regarding $113,449,904.55 in federal funding to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) for electrical distribution repairs on St. John:

"Today, I am pleased to announce a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant of $113,449,904.55 is federal funding to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) for electrical distribution repairs on St. John.

"Hurricane Maria produced severe wind and wind driven rain, resulting in extensive damage to the power infrastructure throughout the US Virgin Islands (USVI), including St. John. Approximately 90% of St. John's power overhead distribution system experienced damage resulting in numerous outages to both commercial and residential customers. In response, WAPA will use force account labor, equipment and material and contractor services to mitigate the facilities back to pre-disaster capacity and function while improving the design and resilience.

"This important grant will benefit the Virgin Islands tremendously in our ongoing rebuilding efforts. The United States government and the international community has an obligation to work with the affected local governments to restore infrastructure, provide critical humanitarian assistance, and help rebuild our islands."

Source