Virgin Islands Government Awarded More Than Eight Million Dollars for State Energy Grant Program

Funding will Support Adoption of Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies

Governor John P. de Jongh said Monday that the Virgin Islands has been awarded more than $8 million in federal stimulus dollars to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the Virgin Islands. Under the V.I. Energy Office’s State Energy Program, the de Jongh Administration proposed a plan that prioritizes energy savings and increases the use of renewable energy.

“This funding will provide a significant boost in our bid to move the Virgin Islands away from total dependency on fuel oil to generate electricity and water. In addition, the V.I. Energy Office’s State Energy Plan provides for the promotion of energy efficiency and the increased use of renewable energy,” de Jongh said this morning. 

The governor noted that, with today’s award of $8.2 million, the Virgin Islands has received 50 percent of the total ARRA funding appropriated to the State Energy Program funding. The remaining monies will be released once the Virgin Islands has met its reporting, oversight and accountability objectives which are required by the federal Recovery Act. “After we demonstrate a successful implementation of this wide ranging plan, we will receive over $10 million dollars in additional funding, for a total of more than $20.5 million dollars.” 

Under the plan, the V.I. Energy Office will use funding to advance energy efficiency initiatives and renewable energy projects in the territory. The VIEO will also establish or in some instances, expand multiple programs to reduce energy demand in buildings and the transportation sector by providing energy efficiency education, outreach and financial assistance. The Energy Star rebate program will be expanded beyond the incentives that are now provided for consumers to purchase energy-efficient products. Funding will also be provided for the development and implementation of energy education and training programs to promote energy efficiency in the design, construction, installation and maintenance of a wide variety of building and energy systems. The plan also calls for the Energy Office to develop and implement a financial incentive program for residents to encourage the purchase of hybrid and electric vehicles. 

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