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Committee holds bill to create Virgin Islands meteorological office for further review
Summary
Committee heard testimony on bill 36-0026 to establish a meteorological office within VITEMA and to pursue a Doppler S-band radar on St. Croix; VITEMA supported an office but cautioned it lacks funding and a radar location. The committee voted to hold the bill for further review.
The Senate Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection heard extensive testimony on bill 36-0026, which would amend Title 23 of the Virgin Islands Code (chapter 10) to create a Virgin Islands meteorological office inside the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA).
Sponsor Sen. Ray Fonseca said the measure would “save lives” by allowing the territory to generate localized weather data, operate sensors and eventually site a Doppler S-band radar on St. Croix to close low‑level coverage gaps created by Puerto Rico’s high‑elevation radar in El Yunque. Fonseca cited recent flash floods with limited local warning and warned of federal…
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