Bryan signed energy and tourism bills affecting St. Thomas solar projects, Crown Bay and Frenchman’s Reef

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed three bills on Nov. 21, 2025, approving two Coastal Zone Management permits for solar and battery storage projects on St. Thomas, authorizing a lease tied to redevelopment at Crown Bay, and amending the Hotel Development Act to create a new hotel-financing structure.

The two energy measures approved permits for utility-scale solar and battery energy storage facilities at Estate Bovoni and Estate Fortuna on St. Thomas. Government House said the projects were intended as part of a microgrid for the St. Thomas district and were advanced under Section 910 of Title 12 of the Virgin Islands Code so they could show substantial progress and qualify for available federal clean-energy tax incentives.

Government House said environmental safeguards, monitoring requirements, and coordination with the St. Thomas Coastal Zone Management Committee and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources would remain in place during construction and interconnection.

Bryan also signed legislation approving a lease for redevelopment of the upland areas of the Crown Bay marine facility on St. Thomas. Government House said the project involved an estimated $200 million public-private investment and would add a cruise berth and new upland facilities, while the Government of the Virgin Islands would retain ownership of the underlying land.

The third measure amended the Hotel Development Act to allow a wholly owned subsidiary of the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority to issue tax-exempt bonds for qualifying hotel projects under conditions set in the law. Government House said the structure was designed to lower borrowing costs without creating public debt or taxpayer guarantees.

Government House identified Frenchman’s Reef on St. Thomas, including the Westin Frenchman’s Bay Beach Resort, as an immediate application of the financing structure. Under the legislation, Government House said, title to the property would transfer to the people of the Virgin Islands after an expected 30-year bond term and full repayment.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-signs-landmark-energy-and-tourism-bills-into-law/