Governor de Jongh Pleased at Interior Department Grant to Assist in Solid Waste Collection in the Virgin Islands

From Washington D.C. late Tuesday afternoon, Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. said he was pleased that the Insular Assistant Secretary of the Interior Tony Babauta has signed a capital improvement grant in the amount of $1.9 million to assist the Virgin Islands in the construction of convenience centers and bin site improvements for solid waste collection in the territory. 

“This timing of this grant from the Interior Department is perfect as it comes just as the territory continues to work strategically in developing long-term solutions for the management of both solid waste and wastewater in the territory,” de Jongh said. “This project has been long identified as a top priority for my Administration and the improvements that will be funded by this grant are also consistent with applicable EPA orders and environmental regulations,” he added. de Jongh said Assistant Secretary Babauta has a true understanding of the issues confronting the Virgin Islands and “I am deeply appreciative of the support he has provided the territory in the short period of time he has been in this leadership position at the Interior Department.” 

Babauta said in a statement issued by the Interior Department that “we are pleased to offer this assistance to the people of the Virgin Islands,” and added that spending of the Interior grant will occur over a five-year period beginning in the current fiscal year. 

The governor said he looks forward to meeting with Assistant Secretary Babauta during his first official visit to the Virgin Islands which begins on Wednesday. Babauta will be in the Virgin Islands through November 23rd and will be visiting both island districts.

###