Above: USVI Governor John de Jongh and Danish Ambassador Peter Takso-Jensen

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Discussing a host of issues including green energy, climate change and business opportunities, US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh met with Danish Ambassador to the United States Peter Taksoe-Jensen in Washington last week.

The two officials, who were joined by Ida Heimann Larsen, Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs, talked about potential opportunities for tourism and cultural exchange, along with business development.

“It was a pleasure to meet with Ambassador Taksoe-Jensen to share ideas on issues at the local, national and international levels,” de Jongh said.

The two spoke about the Administration’s goal to decrease fossil fuel consumption by 60 percent by 2025, and the role green fuels can play in attaining that aim.

The importance of developing green energy in the US Virgin Islands has only increased in recent months, after the closure of the HOVENSA refinery removed the territory’s main source of fuel.

Also on the agenda was the planning already underway for the 100th anniversary of the transfer of the Danish West Indies to the United States, which will take place in 2017.

Taksoe-Jensen told de Jongh about Denmark’s goal to be 100 percent free of fossil fuels in 2050, with European gas prices standing at $!1 per gallon.