ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Members of the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, led by Senate President Milton E. Potter, convened in Legislative Session at the Capitol Building on St. Thomas. During the session, lawmakers voted favorably on nominations sent down resolutions, and several measures. All approved measures will be transmitted to the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands for further consideration and action.

During the Legislative Session, lawmakers transitioned into the Committee of the Whole to receive testimony on multiple major Coastal Zone Management permits, including Bill Request No. 25-0914, an Act approving Major Coastal Zone Management Application No. CZMJL0017-25 for a proposed solar farm at Parcels 3B and 2, Estate Fortuna on St. Thomas. In Committee of the Whole, the Body review measures; no votes are taken at this stage. To further inform their deliberations, senators received detailed testimony outlining the scope, benefits, and technical considerations of the proposed solar projects.

Christian Loranger, Manager of VIElectron LLC and CBLVII LLC, urged lawmakers to waive Coastal Zone Management requirements for two major solar projects proposed for Estates Fortuna and Bovoni on St. Thomas, emphasizing their critical benefits to the Virgin Islands. Loranger detailed his six-year effort to address the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) high fuel costs, poor bond rating, and infrastructure challenges by securing land uniquely suited for utility-scale solar and entering into five Power Purchase Agreements that require no financial assistance from the Territory. He indicated that VI Electron and Hogensborg Solar/BESS have already synchronized 38 MW of solar and 30 MW of battery storage to WAPA, delivering power at 10.9 cents plus battery services engineered to withstand 185-mph winds and supported by insurance safeguards. Sharing the benefits of the solar projects, Loranger argues that these projects significantly enhance grid reliability, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and can help improve WAPA’s bond rating once interconnections for the new sites are completed.

Senate President Milton E. Potter highlighted the community’s persistent concerns over unreliable electrical service and the Territory’s history of unmet commitments. “The people of this Territory are struggling with unreliable power for their families. We’ve heard promises of improvements that never lived up to expectations,” he said. “It is difficult for the public to become warm and optimistic about new projects when previous ones have failed to deliver. What makes this project more reliable?”

Karl Knight, Chief Executive Officer of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, acknowledged the challenges and the fragile trust between the Authority and its customers. “One of the fundamental challenges WAPA faces is exactly what you’ve described. I don’t make a lot of promises because I recognize how delicate that trust is,” Knight responded. He noted that WAPA has previously developed several solar installations. “This is not the first solar farm we will build, it is the fifth or sixth. These solar farms have already proven their resilience, standing firm through two Category 5 hurricanes.”

However, some residents expressed skepticism. Yolanda Titus, representing the St. Thomas West End Alliance, recounted significant damage in her community following past storms, citing instances where dislodged solar panels struck vehicles, shattered windows, and damaged neighboring homes.

Lawmakers also considered additional measures related to redevelopment, renewable energy, and economic policy:

• Bill Request No. 25-0915 — An Act approving Major Coastal Zone Management Application No. CZMJL0017-25, pertaining to a solar farm at Rem. 17 Estate Bovoni and Nos. 1 & 2 Frenchman’s Bay Quarter on St. Thomas. The aim is to expand the renewable energy infrastructure.
• Bill No. 36-0138 — An Act to transfer certain parcels of real property in Subbase to the Virgin Islands Port Authority for the Crown Bay District Redevelopment Project. 
• Bill Request No. 25-0894 — An Act amending the Hotel Development Act. The intent is to update the financing and development provisions within the Territory’s tourism sector.

Rising out of the Committee of the Whole and back into Legislative Session, policymakers proceeded to vote on items listed on the agenda. In accordance with Title 3, Chapter 5, Subchapter I, § 65a of the Virgin Islands Code-Filling Vacancies on Boards, Commissions, or Governing Boards of Authorities within the Executive Branch.

 Senators voted favorably on the following nominations submitted by the Governor: 

• The Honorable Venetia H. Velazquez to the Superior Court, Division of St. Croix
• Melanie L. Turnbull, Esq. to the Superior Court Family Division, Family Division District of St. Thomas-St. John
• Jennifer M. Matarangas-King as Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism 
• Bernesha B. Liburd to the Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board

Lawmakers approve the following Resolutions:

• Bill No. 36-0044 – A Resolution honoring and commending seven-year-old twin brothers Kruz and Stefon Wilson for their heroic efforts and courage displayed when saving a drowning man at Magen’s Bay Beach and for their exemplary conduct as young members of the community. Sponsored by: Senators Angel L. Bolques, Jr and Carla J. Joseph
• Bill No. 36-0075 – A Resolution honoring and commending Austin A. Venzen posthumously for his unwavering commitment to music education and the arts, through his work in the classrooms, conducting private music lessons, on the concert stages, and by bringing Virgin Islanders together in choirs, bands, and community events, to foster camaraderie, collaboration, and cultural enrichment. Sponsored by Senators Ray Fonseca and Carla J. Joseph.

Lastly, senators voted in the affirmative for the following bills:

• Bill No. 36-0086 – An Act amending Title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25, section 590b, the Caregivers Leave Act. Sponsored by: Senators Novelle E. Francis and Carla J. Joseph.
• Bill No. 36-0135 – An Act amending Title 29 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 5, section 294 regarding expedited building permits for developers, as amended. Sponsored by: Senator Kenneth L. Gittens.
• Bill No. 36-0138- An Act to transfer certain parcels for real property in Subbase to the Virgin Islands Port Authority for her Crown Bay District Redevelopment Project, as amended
• Bill No. 36-0148- An Act amending Title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 16, section 274 by mandating that the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission implement an electronic payment system
• Bill No. 36-0196 – An Act appropriating excess debt service reserve funds for certain capital projects in the territory and appropriating $2,000,000 from the St Thomas Capital Improvement fund. Sponsored by: Senators Milton E. Potter, Marvin A. Blyden and Carla J. Joseph by Request of the Governor.
• Bill No. 36-0214- An Act ratifying consent of St. Thomas Committee of the Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Commission for the Legislature’s approval of major Coastal Zone Permit No. CZMJ0017-25 to construct a solar array on Parcel Nos. 3B and 2 Estate Fortuna, St. Thomas
• Bill No. 36-0215– An Act ratifying the unanimous consent of the St. Thomas Coastal Zone Management Committee of the Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Commission for the Legislature’s approval of major Coastal Zone Management Permit No. CZMJL0018-25 to construct a solar array on Parcel No. 17 Remainder Bovoni, Estate Bovoni, St. Thomas
• Bill No. 36-0216– An Act amending Title 29 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 23 to establish a wholly owned subsidiary of the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority and require conditions for the issuance of tax-exempt bonds. 

Senators present at the Committee meeting included Milton E. Potter, Marise C. James, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Kenneth L. Gittens, Carla J. Joseph, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Kurt A. Vialet, Hubert L. Frederick, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Alma Francis Heyliger, Angel L. Bolques Jr., Ray Fonseca, Clifford A. Joseph, Franklin D. Johnson, and Avery Lewis.

The Division of Public Affairs remains committed to providing the community with accurate information on legislative proceedings and other events at the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. Visit legvi.org.

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Press Contact: Africah N.T. Harrigan

Email: aharrigan@legvi.org