Government House briefing outlined hurricane shelter preparations, Aug. 1 special session and EV partnership

Government House said in a weekly briefing on July 21, 2025, that VITEMA was monitoring two tropical waves in the Atlantic and continuing shelter preparations for the 2025 hurricane season.

VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen said one wave, about 700 miles east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles, had a 20% chance of development over the next 48 hours, while a second wave near 30W in the eastern Atlantic was also being watched. He said the agency was coordinating with federal and local partners, including the National Guard, FEMA, the ADA Coordinator’s Office and the American Red Cross, to evaluate and prepare congregate shelter sites across the territory.

Government House listed designated shelters as Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and the Lockhart K-8 School cafeteria on St. Thomas; the Adrian Senior Center and Gift Hill School Upper Campus on St. John; and the D.C. Canegata Community Center and Educational Complex High School gymnasium on St. Croix. The Lockhart K-8 School cafeteria and Educational Complex High School gymnasium were identified as pet-friendly shelters.

Human Services Commissioner Averil George said the department was coordinating shelter readiness and urged elderly, disabled or isolated residents to register with the Elderly and Disabled Disaster Registry for pre-storm support.

Communications Director Richard Motta Jr. also said Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. had called a special session of the 36th Legislature for Aug. 1, 2025, to consider proposals on government health insurance reform, repeal of what the administration called double-dipping by legislators receiving both a government pension and a legislative salary while accruing additional retirement benefits, and repeal of the law requiring government employees to take a leave of absence to run for elected office.

Virgin Islands Energy Office Director Kyle Fleming announced a partnership with TJ Ocean Auto Group to expand electric-vehicle service capacity, including EV lifts and charging infrastructure, funded through a federal sub-grant under the State Energy Program.

Fleming said available incentives included a $7,500 federal tax credit, which Government House said would expire on Sept. 30, 2025, and a $5,000 local rebate.

Government House also said that over the previous three weeks the administration had announced the release of more than $15.7 million in income tax refunds to more than 3,700 filers who submitted 2023 returns by March 5, 2024, and had no outstanding processing issues.

In addition, Government House said Bryan had proclaimed July 23, 2025, as Ras Tafari Day in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/government-house-weekly-briefing-emphasizes-hurricane-preparedness-shelter-readiness-and-new-electric-vehicle-partnership/