Delegate Wiley’s Richmond Roundup: Week 5 – More affordable, reliable energy for every Virginian

Affordable, Reliable Energy
A diversified energy portfolio is the best way to keep the lights on while ensuring Virginians are able to pay their bills. Fortunately, House Republicans have passed a variety of bills that aim to lower rates for electric utility customers across Virginia while adding oversight on electric utilities to ensure the reliability of the electric grid and maximize future savings for customers.

We also passed legislation that protects Virginians from unfair price hikes if there is a shortfall in offshore wind energy production (HB 1797 – Freitas). The legislation heads to the Senate for further consideration.

If Virginia is going to have a low-carbon energy future that is both reliable and affordable, nuclear power must be part of the equation. This week, we passed multiple bills that will position Virginia as a leader in the nuclear energy sector and ensure we keep the light on for decades. Several of these bills embrace the technological benefits of small modular nuclear reactors, which can utilize the unused coalfields in Southwest that were once the powerhouse of Virginia (HB 1780 – O’Quinn, HB 2333 – Marshall).

With the passage of these bills, House Republicans are making sure Virginia avoids the bad policies of other states that have struggled with rolling blackouts and skyrocketing energy costs.

A Budget for All Virginians
On Thursday, House Republicans approved a budget (HB 1400, Knight) that is fiscally responsible, invests in key education initiatives, and builds safer communities. The budget incorporates the Governor’s most significant tax cuts to ensure more of your hard-earned money stays in your pockets. It also invests in business-ready sites to ensure Virginia has been a hub for jobs and economic development for decades. Moreover, it funds a significant overhaul of our workforce development efforts to ensure we have the workforce ready to meet the demands of Virginia’s exciting economic future.

In addition, the budget invests in our schools with over a half billion dollars in new funding while ensuring teachers will see net raises of 12 percent over the next two years. The budget also allocates tens of millions of dollars toward making college more affordable.

These initiatives are in addition to legislation (HB 2269 – Greenhalgh) that earmarks specific unspent federal dollars for schools to use to combat learning loss.

The budget also delivers on our promise to build safer communities by funding more police, school resource officers, and other resources to prevent crimes. Moreover, it expands on proven initiatives like Operation Ceasefire to curb gun and gang violence in our communities.

The budget also includes major investments in meeting our Chesapeake Bay cleanup goals. This includes fully funding our agricultural best management practices goal by supporting an additional $137.1 million for the Water Quality Improvement Fund and additional funding for local stormwater improvement projects.

The approved House budget now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

Winchester’s own Nazeeh Johnson was in the Super Bowl.  Johnson graduated from Millbrook High School and then walked on at Marshall University. The Chiefs drafted him in the 7th round and signed him to the practice squad. On September 28th, 2022, he was moved to an active roster spot. His story reminds us of the value of working hard, believing in your dreams & never giving up!

Wiley’s Work in Richmond
• See 2023 legislation that Delegate Wiley is Chief Patron 
• See legislation that Delegate Wiley is Co-Patron on.
• See a list of House Committees Delegate Wiley serves on or Chairs.
• Other Commission and Committee Appointments in the General Assembly.

You can also track any other legislation in the General Assembly here at www.lis.virginia.gov.

If I can be of assistance to you, or you would like to share your position on any of my legislation, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Regards,

Delegate Bill Wiley, House District 29
delbwiley@house.Virginia.gov
1-804-698-1029