A boat with fishermen next to a Dominion Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind turbine in July 2023. (Photo by Charlie Paullin/VirginiaMercury)
After 20 years in the Marine Corps, including time as a helicopter pilot and a year preparing congressional testimony on Capitol Hill, I’ve seen firsthand how closely energy security and national security are connected. Here in Hampton Roads, that link is especially clear: Our economy, our neighborhoods and our military bases all depend on reliable, affordable energy to stay strong.
Today, in my work with clean energy policy and large-scale infrastructure projects, I continue to focus on solutions that strengthen both our communities and our energy security. Clean energy tax credits are one of the most effective tools we have to make that happen. They help lower energy costs for families and businesses, modernize our aging electric grid, and ensure Virginia remains a leader in the next generation of energy innovation.
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is a great example. Located about 27 miles off Virginia Beach, the project is on track to generate enough power for 660,000 homes when it becomes fully operational next year. It will provide clean, reliable electricity to a significant portion of our region, without the price volatility and supply chain risks that come with fossil fuels.
During construction, it supports nearly 900 jobs each year, most of them based here in Hampton Roads. Once completed, it will support over 1,100 jobs annually. These are good-paying jobs that support local families and small businesses. This project is not only growing our local economy, it is also helping to strengthen the regional grid that powers critical infrastructure like Naval Air Station Oceana and other defense facilities.
Large scale projects are only part of the picture. Clean energy tax credits also make it easier for homeowners and small business owners to install rooftop solar, add battery storage, and make energy-efficiency upgrades that lower their costs and improve reliability. These improvements help people feel more in control during extreme weather or power outages, by giving them access to backup power or reducing strain on the system during peak demand.
Hampton Roads is leading by example, but continued progress depends on smart policies and strong support from elected officials who understand what is at stake.
I was encouraged to see Congresswoman Jen Kiggans continuing to take a stand against the reconciliation bill that passed the House of Representatives last month. In a bipartisan letter sent to Senate Republican leadership, Kiggans and eleven other House members emphasized common-sense reforms for energy growth to keep our economy growing and our military strong, and highlighted the importance of protecting the tax credits and supply chains that keep projects like Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind moving forward. Although she signed the House bill that would repeal or render many of these incentives useless, the letter she signed outlines a better path. If the final Senate version fails to incorporate these reforms, I hope Kiggans will do the right thing and vote against it once the bill is back on the House floor for final consideration.
Virginia is already home to more than 118,000 advanced energy jobs, and the sector continues to grow year over year. These careers range from engineering and manufacturing to installation and maintenance, offering opportunities across a wide range of skills. But that progress is not guaranteed. If key federal tax credits are rolled back or allowed to expire, energy costs for families and businesses in Virginia could rise by more than 7% by next year. That would be a step backward at a time when we should be focused on building greater energy independence, grid reliability and economic resilience.
We have made great strides, but there is more work to do. By continuing to invest in clean energy and protecting the tax credits that support it, we can build an energy future that is reliable, affordable, and secure. Hampton Roads is showing the country what is possible when we prioritize innovation and smart investment. I am proud to be part of that progress.
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