The V.I. Public Services Commission approved WAPA's emergency request to increase the electric Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause by 3 cents per kilowatt-hour through December 31. The LEAC is the fuel-cost component of a customer's bill and rises from about 22.22 cents to 25.2246 cents per kilowatt-hour.
At 400 kilowatt-hours of monthly use, the 3-cent adjustment adds about $12 before any change in consumption or other bill components. The commission waived its customary 30-day notice, so customers should review WAPA's billing notice for the first affected cycle.
WAPA told commissioners that diesel rose from $1.99 to $4.57 per gallon since January and propane rose from 58.5 cents to nearly 92 cents. Those figures and the utility's estimate that it absorbed about $21 million in fuel costs are WAPA's representations to regulators, not an independent audit finding.
The temporary approval expires December 31 unless the PSC takes further action. Commission Chair David Hughes said he did not want the increase to become permanent and indicated that rates should continue to be reviewed against current fuel prices.
The PSC should publish the signed order, first effective billing date, calculation workpapers and bill-impact table for several usage levels before the next review.
Source published October 13, 2026; publication time not displayed. Read the original reporting or release for the complete record.
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