Rep. Jen Kiggans talks clean energy with Hampton Roads industry leaders
VIRGINIA BEACH — U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans recently met with leaders from Dominion Energy, Virginia Natural Gas and other Hampton Roads business representatives to discuss how 'clean' energy investments are growing the local workforce and bringing long-term economic growth to the region.
During a Wednesday roundtable event, hosted by Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, she also discussed efforts to drum up more support for clean energy among Republicans.
'It's really important that we use our voice even more loudly now,' she said, noting the small Republican majority in the U.S. House, the Senate and a Republican in the White House. 'There are those of us in districts like this one that really care about these renewable energy issues, clean energy, just the business side of it.'
Clean energy refers to power sources that curb greenhouse gas emissions or pollutants, which are primarily caused by burning fossil fuels, deforestation and agricultural activities.
Kiggans, a Republican who represents Virginia's 2nd Congressional District, has been a supporter of offshore wind energy since her days as a state senator. She's also an advocate for clean energy tax credits. The congresswoman said she's starting to see similar support from some GOP colleagues and is trying to amplify it.
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She's a member of the House Conservative Climate Caucus, which launched several years ago and aims to 'educate House Republicans on climate policies and legislation consistent with conservative values,' among other initiatives.
'We've banded together, and we're using our voices, and we are making sure that our leadership knows that these issues are important,' she said, adding that they try to appeal to the fiscal conservative side of clean energy projects.
'We know best how to speak that love language, right, to the people who are leading the country,' she said.
President Donald Trump has taken steps to limit future offshore wind projects, and recently stopped construction of a wind farm off the coast of New York.
After the roundtable, The Virginian-Pilot asked Kiggans if she was concerned about potential federal cuts to wind energy. Dominion Energy's Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is under construction 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. The $9.8 billion project will generate energy to power up to 660,000 homes, according to Dominion, and is expected to be completed at the end of 2026.
'I am closely monitoring all new proposals and will continue advocating for responsible investments that strengthen our domestic energy independence and support skilled jobs and economic growth in Virginia's 2nd District,' Kiggans said.
During the discussion, Kiggans also gave a nod to Dominion Energy for a partnership with Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach. The East Coast master jet base in Kiggans' district is providing utility easements to Dominion for onshore transmission of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project in exchange for technology upgrades, she said.
'For me, energy security is national security,' she said, adding that she had an eye-opening experience as a member of the House Armed Services Committee during a visit to Silicon Valley last fall.
'Our defense industry doesn't have the energy sufficient to get the job done and supply the warfighter with the needs and the technology that's out there,' said Kiggans, a former Naval helicopter pilot. 'We need to do better.'
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
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