From the shores of Virginia Beach, Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) is March’s CRESponsible Leader of the Month. Representing Virginia’s 2nd District, she champions an all-of-the-above energy strategy that balances innovation, economic growth and environmental responsibility — proving that clean energy can both power homes and bolster national security.
Rep. Kiggans’ legislative record reflects clear determination to lower the cost of energy. In the 118th Congress, she supported legislation to strengthen energy security and lower energy costs, including the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1), the Fix Our Forests Act, the Strategic Production Response (SPR) Act, the REINS Act and supporting next-generation nuclear energy through the ADVANCE Act. As a Vice Chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus, she’s helped shape Republican strategies that blend clean energy innovation with economic priorities.
Rep. Kiggans is also a strong advocate for clean energy tax credits, which have spurred innovation and created new jobs in her district and across the United States. Testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of protecting existing clean energy tax credits, she highlighted that Virginia has received more than $445 million in private investments supported by existing clean energy tax credits and, by 2035, clean energy investments are expected to contribute $37 billion to the commonwealth’s economy.
Rep. Kiggans joined 20 other Republican Members of Congress in signing a recent letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.), emphasizing the importance of protecting critical clean energy tax credits. Rep. Kiggans also signed a similar letter last year sent to House Leadership.
Those investments are strengthening the power grid at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceania, home of the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter squadrons on the East Coast. NAS Oceania serves as a critical training and deployment location for America’s naval air power, enabling a rapid response to global threats and safeguarding our national security. These kinds of investments help our military to meet growing energy demand, update outdated energy infrastructure and maintain America’s robust military advantage, key assets in a time of global instability.
Rep. Kiggans continually proves an all-of-the-above strategy strengthens our economy while cutting energy bills. She has worked hard to advance policies that “restore our energy independence, lower costs, and keep us as global leaders in emissions reduction.” Because of her leadership, we’re proud to name Rep. Jen Kiggans our CRESponsible Leader of the month.
Read more about Rep. Kiggans’ in a recent op-ed by CRES President Heather Reams HERE.