Busy Week at Government House

M.A. Dworkin

St. Croix - Communications Director Richard Motta conducted the Government House Weekly Press Briefing from St. Croix, recapping a busy week of major milestones for the Bryan-Roach Administration in the areas of energy reform, housing recovery, and hurricane preparedness.

Solar Farm Success 

Last week, Governor Albert Bryan Jr., and members of his Administration celebrated the commissioning of the Territory’s largest solar farm, located at Estate Hogensborg on St. Croix. The facility adds over 22 megawatts of renewable energy capacity to the grid, marking a major step in the Administration’s ongoing efforts to transform the Virgin Islands’ energy landscape.

“This milestone is part of a broader strategy to modernize WAPA and increase affordable access to solar energy for all residents,” Mr. Motta said. He went on to highlight the Administration’s programs like Solar Plus Financing, Solar for All Ah We, and the VI Battery Energy Storage Program - all managed by the Virgin Islands Energy Office under the Office of the Governor.

The Hogensborg Solar Farm complements the existing 10-megawatt Petronella Solar Farm on the South Shore of St. Croix and the ongoing construction of a 43-megawatt solar project in Estate Fortuna on St. Thomas. Mr. Motta extended thanks to VIWAPA, VI Electron, Honeywell, and other key stakeholders for their roles in these critical energy developments.

Envision Tomorrow Gaining Strength in Numbers

Also, in the last week, Governor Bryan joined ODR (Office of Disaster Recovery) Director Adrienne Williams-Octalien in visiting newly completed homes under the Envision Tomorrow program on St. Croix. With more than 55 homes rebuilt or renovated to current code standards, and 100 more under construction Territory-wide, the Governor praised the program’s impact in restoring resilient housing for Virgin Islanders. 

250th U.S. Army Birthday   

Another notable moment came with the 250th birthday celebration of the U.S. Army at Government House, recognizing the military’s enduring presence and partnership in the Virgin islands.

USVI Capstone 2025: Disaster Response Drill a Huge Success

VITEMA (Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency) Director Daryl Jaschen provided an important update from the just-completed USVI Capstone 2025 exercise, a two-week hurricane response simulation involving FEMA, the U.S. Coast Guard, the VI National Guard, EMAC (Emergency Management Assistance Compact) partners from New Jersey, New York, and Puerto Rico, along with private sector participants. 

The drill simulated the Territory’s response to a fictional Hurricane Indigo, a Category 3 storm bringing 115 mph winds, 8-10 inches of rain, and a 10-foot storm surge. The drill prioritized life-saving, life-sustaining, and incident stabilization actions, Mr. Jaschen praised the unified response and the coordination across agencies. 

“We’ve proven that when a major storm threatens our islands, we are ready,” said Mr. Jaschen. “The people of the Virgin Islands can be confident that their government and partners will respond swiftly and effectively as soon as conditions are safe.”

Director Jaschen related that residents are encouraged to sign up for Alert VI for emergency updates.

Governor in DC to Meet with Secretary of Education

Mr. Motta announced that Governor Bryan was currently enroute to Washington D.C., where he is scheduled to meet this week with the U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. As national education policies continue to evolve, the Governor is advocating to keep the needs of Virgin Islands students, teachers, and families front and center.  

“This is about keeping our seat at the table,” Mr. Motta emphasized the importance of the Governor’s trip. “The Governor is determined to ensure that no matter who is in power in Washington, Virgin Islanders are not left behind.”

The meeting with Secretary McMahon will explore how the Virgin Islands can continue leveraging federal support for local educational initiatives.

While Governor Bryan is out of the Territory, Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach, Esq. is the acting Governor. 

Flags at Half-Staff for “Edgie”

Governor Bryan has ordered that all Virgin Islands flags on Government buildings be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, June 20, in honor of Eldred “Edgie” Christian, a revered culture bearer and Musical Ambassador of Virgin Islands pride.        

“We pay tribute to a man whose voice and instrument elevated the soul of our islands,” said Mr. Motta, as he spoke about one of the Founding members of Stanley and the Ten sleepless Knights (TSK).

Free Housing Expo for All 

The Press Briefing concluded with the mention that following the successful Housing Expo held June 15th on St. Croix, the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) will host the next Expo on Saturday, June 22, on St. Thomas under the theme: “Building Homes, Creating Communities: From Concept to Concrete.”

These free public events aim to connect individuals and families with local and national lenders, contractors, realtors, Government agencies and housing assistance programs, along with energy efficiency options. VIHFA staff and homeownership experts will be on hand  The Expo is designed to help Virgin Islanders navigate homeownership, secure rental assistance, and invest in safe, affordable housing. 

The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible.