St. Croix – Communications Director Richard Motta provided key updates on Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s trip to Washington, D.C. and VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen provided an update on hurricane preparedness for the season during the weekly Government House Press Briefing held on St. Croix.
The Governor, while currently in Washington, continued his unwavering efforts to keep the federal priorities of the Virgin Islands front and center in national policy conversations in spite of the upheavals in certain programs backed up by the narrow margin the Republicans hold in the House and Senate.
Governor Bryan also met with U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to advocate for continued federal support for public education, workforce development, and urgent school infrastructure upgrades. These are priorities that remain central to the Bryan-Roach Administration’s education reform agenda across all three islands.
In addition to meeting with top federal officials, the Governor addressed more than 100 clients and staff of the prestigious global law firm Winston & Strawn, presenting the U.S. Virgin Islands as a top-tier destination for investment. He highlighted the Territory’s exceptional economic advantages, including the 90% federal income tax reduction for qualifying EDC program participants, exemption from the Jones Act, and the USVI’s unmatched strategic location.
“Governor Bryan is making the case that St. Croix, in particular, is ripe for long-term investment, fueled by smart fiscal policy, infrastructure modernization, and a transformation toward renewable energy,” Mr. Motta stated.
The Communications Director emphasized that energy transformation continues locally through several programs administered by the Virgin Islands Energy Office (VIEO). He announced that since the April 11, 2025 launch of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Rebate Program, over $104,000 in rebate checks have been issued to residents purchasing Energy Star appliances.
Furthermore, the Virgin Islands Battery Energy Storage Program (VIBES) has distributed more than $130,000 in rebates to help homeowners and small businesses install battery backup systems. It provides both cost savings and increased energy reliability.
The Electric Mobility Rebate Program has also gained traction, offering $5,000 rebates for electric vehicles and $500 for electric bikes. To date, 33 rebates totaling $166,000 have been awarded since its 2024 launch.
“These programs aren’t just about savings, they’re about equity, resilience, and sustainability,” said Mr. Motta. “They are helping Virgin Islanders transition to cleaner, more reliable energy while reducing monthly costs.”
The VIEO’s Weatherization Assistance Program is also making a significant impact, with 153 approved applications and $672,000 of the $900,000 budget already invested in energy-efficient upgrades for the elderly, disabled, and low-income households. These efforts align with the Bryan-Roach Administration’s broader Vision 2040 plan, which calls for 75% of the territory’s energy to come from solar sources.
In another significant development, Mr. Motta announced that the U.S. Department of the Interior has awarded over $2 million in FY 2025 Capital Improvement Project funding to the Virgin Islands. This funding will support public safety, health, and essential infrastructure services across the Territory.
Hurricane Season Preparedness
VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen reminded residents to take proactive steps now in preparation of peak hurricane season in August.
- Decide whether to shelter in place or evacuate
- Prepare an emergency kit, including supplies for pets
- Inspect roofs and cistern drains for repairs.
Additionally, Mr. Jaschen invited the public to attend this weekend’s Amateur Radio Field Day, hosted by the St. Croix Amateur Radio Club in partnership with VITEMA and BIT. The event will run from Saturday at 2:00 pm to Sunday at 2:00 pm at the field across from Leatherback Brewing Company in the Williams R. Roebuck Industrial Park. Open house times are Saturday 2-5pm and Sunday 10am – 2pm.
For more information, residents may contact Club President Reynaldo Bess at 340-277-3117 or Director Jaschen at 340-690-9264.
For details on energy programs visit https://energy.vi.gov or call 340-713-8436.
In the Questionnaire portion of the Press Briefing, Yellow Cedar Media brought up the point that The Energy Star Program was on the Trump Administration chopping block.
“For this program, the funding already exists,” replied Mr. Motta. “So irrespective of what the Trump Administration finally decides to do, we still have the resources here in the Territory until they are expended.”
Yellow Cedar Media brought up the question of how the Administration was planning on handling the outbreak in crime throughout the Territory, both the recent spate in burglaries on St. Croix and the murders on St. John and St. Croix.
“There are a number of different strategies that we are implementing to deter crime,” Mr. Motta replied. “But ultimately it is someone deciding to commit a criminal act,,,What has been on the increase is the arrests due to the implementation of different strategies that we have to enforce the laws of the Territory,”
He went on to elaborate. “We have a number of camera systems in the Territory that have enabled the Virgin Island Police Department (VIPD) to make swift arrests in many of these cases. And the VIPD implements other enforcement strategies by cracking down on all the criminal infractions they are called upon to enforce.”
Mr. Motta reminded the public, “the deterrence of crime is not only on the backs of the VIPD, but it is truly a community effort and that is why they often say, ‘when you see something say something.’
“We need the community to step up and provide information to the VIPD. I think that is the one true thing that will really quell criminal activity once and for all in the Territory. When the criminals are not just thinking about the VIPD but also the community responding to their criminal activity.”
The Communications Director then spoke for the entire Bryan-Roach Administration:
“We want to offer our condolences to the families of those who suffered the tragedies over this past weekend. The Virgin Islands Police Department will continue to enforce and investigate these crimes. This is a call to action for the community to come forward with any information,” Mr. Motta concluded by saying, “ However, you can expect to see a greater enforcement of VIPD activities in the near future.”
Yellow Cedar Media asked if there were any plans to increase patrols in the downtown Christiansted area, to which Mr. Motta replied he was not privy to the VIPD’s plans.
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