Virgin Islands closes St. Thomas–St. John schools over a power shortfall as the governor seeks a $250 million bond
This story has been updated: Update: Power restored to St. Thomas and St. John after days of outages, Virgin Islands governor says Oct. 25, 2026
Oct. 23, 2026 — Public schools and executive branch offices in the U.S. Virgin Islands' St. Thomas–St. John District closed Oct. 23 because of power interruptions caused by reduced generating capacity at the Randolph Harley Power Plant on St. Thomas, the governor's office said. On Oct. 23, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said he had sent the Legislature a $250 million bond proposal, with $40 million for the Water and Power Authority, $40 million for the Waste Management Authority, $85 million for the territory's two hospitals and $30 million for tax refunds and back wages. It needs legislative approval.
The wall: When power and normal operations would resume was not given.
Tier: Confirmed (based on the governor's office's releases)
Sources
- Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Public Schools and Executive Branch Government Offices in St. Thomas-St. John District to Close Friday Due to Power Interruptions (Oct. 22, 2026)
- Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Governor Bryan Submits $250 Million Bond Financing Proposal to Legislature (Oct. 23, 2026)
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