About
The United States Virgin Islands is a group of islands that are classified as an insular area or organized territory of the US. The US Virgin Islands are geographically located in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and they are a part of the Virgin Islands archipelago. The US Virgin Islands consist of the islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas, and other smaller surrounding islands. The total land area of the territory is 346.4km2 and according to the 2000 Census, there are 108,612 residents in the US Virgin Islands.
Strategy
The United States Virgin Islands(V.I), led by the Energy Office, have begun reducing greenhouse gas emissions by educating residents about energy efficiency and encouraging uses of alternative energy. Many citizens of the Virgin Islands are concerned about climate change as rising sea levels could have a dramatic effect on sea side homes, rising ocean temperatures and acidity could destruct the health of local coral reefs and the dependent tourism businesses.
The Virgin Island Energy Office, Virgin Island Department of Labor and the Virgin Island Department of Education are partnering to put stimulus funds to work in the territory.Selected candidates will be included in a solar pre-apprentice training program. The 20-week course is being funded by the Energy Office and Labor with funds made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The course will include online training, hands-on training in the class room and on-the-job training.
The course is designed to give residents who complete it the opportunity to become employed in the solar industry especially in the installation of solar water heaters. During the training students may assist in installing solar water heaters on government buildings or buildings owned by non-profit agencies. Many solar water heaters are expected to be installed in the Virgin Islands as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus funds. In this initial training project, the V.I. Government hopes to train 75 residents – 30 from St. Croix, 30 from St. Thomas and 15 from St. John.
The Virgin Islands Energy Office has also initiated other numerous programs to educate its citizens about the dangers of climate change and how citizens can cost effectively adjust to a low-carbon economy. The Virgin Islands Energy Office is also holding three public hearings to inform residents about funds received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In April 2009, there was not one, but three Earth Days in the Virgin Islands, and all three celebrations showed high participation as more people are becoming concerned about the environment.
The Virgin Islands Energy Office also donated model solar-powered car kits for the 14th annual Junior Solar Sprint, which provided an exciting, fun and educational way for junior high students to learn about solar energy. More than 100 students from 18 schools on St. Thomas and St. Croix entered. The Virgin Islands Energy Office has also signed an agreement with the hospital to give the hospital a grant of $200,000 to build a 30 kW photovoltaic system. The Energy Office is adding to the cash donation a gift of solar panels valued at another $200,000.
The V.I. Energy Office has speakers available for community organization meetings and for school classrooms.The speakers can talk on a variety subjects – energy efficiency, solar power, wind energy, net metering, lowering your WAPA bill, and global warming.In addition, the St. Croix Foundation teamed with the V.I. Energy Office to help efficiently light up the downtowns of Frederiksted and Christiansted.Roger Dewey, executive director of the St. Croix Foundation, said along with energy efficiency, beautification and safety for residents were big considerations in doing the project. St. Croix Historic Preservation Office was brought in during the early stages of the project, which was funded with $20,000 from the Energy Office Discretionary Grant program and $4,000 in matching funds from the St. Croix Foundation.
The lights are not designed to go on poles but instead have been specifically designed to be placed on the ceilings of the arcade walkways that line most of Frederiksted and Christiansted's downtown streets. The fixture is designed in such a way as to send light up to be reflected down. The design is to diffuse light in a way pleasant to the eye and also in a way that makes the fixture almost invisible. Another key positive, according to Dewey, is that the lights will only cost about four cents a night to burn. The St. Croix Environmental Association awarded its Good Government Award for 2007 to the V.I. Energy Office.