Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA)

CYBER-GRID STX: What if Elon Musk Targeted WAPA for a ‘DOGE’ Audit?

ST. CROIX — What happens when a "First Principles" disruptor meets a legacy utility buried in "objective billing fiction"? We imagine a St. Croix where Elon Musk brings his "hardcore"…

John McCarthy February 28, 2026

At VIFreep Breaking News Business News

GRID ON THE BRINK: Why ‘Minor’ Line Outages are Crippling the USVI

CHRISTIANSTED — While the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) touts "infrastructure progress" and new composite poles, residents across St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Water Island are…

John McCarthy February 28, 2026

At VIFreep Breaking News Business News

WAPA to St. John: “Good News, The Sea Cable is Fine. Bad News, We Still Have to Turn the Power Off.”

FREDERIKSTED — While the rest of the world watches Elon Musk catch rockets with mechanical "chopsticks," the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority is still playing a high-stakes game of…

John McCarthy February 10, 2026

At VIFreep Breaking News Government House News

Governor Bryan Tightens VIPD Rules; WAPA Apologizes for St. John Blackout

ST. CROIX — Government House Communications Director Richard Motta delivered a triple-shot of updates Monday, covering a new crackdown on off-duty police conduct, the upcoming Agrifest weekend, and a mea…

John McCarthy February 9, 2026

At VIFreep Breaking News Business News

Elon’s Own AI Admits: St. Croix is the Only One Pitching ‘SpaceX South’—Here’s Why We’re Right

By JOHN McCARTHY/V.I. Free Press Staff In a world of "crossed signals" and corporate doublespeak, sometimes you have to go straight to the source’s brain—even if that brain is made…

John McCarthy February 9, 2026

At VIFreep Breaking News Business News

An Open Letter to Elon Musk: Why Your Next Giga-Project Belongs in the U.S. Virgin Islands

By JOHN McCARTHY/V.I. Free Press Staff Elon, we know you’re busy with Mars, but while you’re waiting for the next launch window, you should take a look at a different…

John McCarthy February 9, 2026

Breaking News

Thousands of WAPA customers go without power on Christmas morning

FREDERIKSTED — Some 5, 241 WAPA customers living on St. Croix woke up to a home without electricity on Christmas morning. The Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority heaped praise…

John McCarthy December 25, 2025

Breaking News Community Affairs Education News

Electrical pole fire closes 2 St. Thomas elementary schools

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Virgin Islands Department of Education, St. Thomas–St. John District, is notifying parents and guardians that both Joseph A. Gomez Elementary School and Yvonne Milliner-Bowsky Elementary School will…

John McCarthy September 8, 2025

Breaking News Crime News Police News

WAPA ‘contractor’ aided in armed robbery of WAPA employee at plant

CHRISTIANSTED — A Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority "contractor" is behind bars today after police say she aided in the armed robbery of a full-fledged WAPA employee at the…

John McCarthy July 1, 2025

Breaking News Environmental News National News

EPA administrator discusses USVI environmental priorities in St. Croix

CHRISTIANSTED — EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci traveled to St. Croix to engage with government officials, meet the EPA team working on the ground, and discuss strategies for tackling the…

John McCarthy April 8, 2025