Welcome to Notes from the Square, a roundup of state politics and policy news. Each week, we bring you updates on the movers and shakers in Virginia politics as well as the legislation and initiatives they’re supporting or opposing — with a Southwest and Southside Virginia focus.
Got a tip or story idea? Email me at elizabeth@cardinalnews.org.
Attorney General Jay Jones creates a unit to oversee vape products, THC and more
The attorney general’s office announced Thursday that it has created a unit to oversee the administration and enforcement responsibilities regarding liquid nicotine vapor products, THC and hemp-derived products, kratom and related emerging intoxicants.
The Regulated Products Enforcement Unit is tasked with civil enforcement, retail compliance, directory administration, stakeholder engagement and public education regarding those products.
The unit will administer and maintain the commonwealth’s Liquid Nicotine and Nicotine Vapor Product Directory, which was established by a law enacted this year, to review manufacturer certifications and documentation, evaluate product eligibility, monitor changes in federal regulatory status and coordinate with regulated entities to make sure that only authorized products are offered for sale in Virginia.
“New intoxicating products and substances enter the market every single day, many of which include dangerous or illegal ingredients and are deceptively packaged, labeled, and marketed to consumers,” Jones said in a statement. “Many of these products even target children, causing irreparable harm to their lives and their futures. As a result, the health and well-being of everyday Virginians and business owners alike are put at risk.”
He added that the goal of the new unit is to educate Virginians and ensure strong accountability for bad actors who violate the law.
The unit plans to identify and prevent violations by manufacturers, distributors and retailers through inspections, compliance monitoring and coordination with regulatory agencies.
The Regulated Products Enforcement Unit will take legal action and seek civil penalties to uphold the law and protect consumers when necessary. The unit will coordinate with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and other states to address widespread and systemic violations. It also plans to work with advocates, medical health professionals and public health organizations to identify trends and strategies, Jones’ office said.
A bipartisan bill to create more emergency access to Wintergreen makes its way through the U.S. Senate
The Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act passed the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, clearing a critical hurdle before it heads to the chamber floor for a vote. It passed the U.S. House of Representatives in March.
Wintergreen Resort is a popular tourist destination off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Nelson County. It has one entrance and exit road which, lawmakers said, poses a significant safety concern.
Without an additional emergency evacuation route, the thousands of people who live at Wintergreen or are staying at the resort are at risk in the event of a natural disaster or emergency. Thousands of lives could be in jeopardy if an alternative emergency route is not constructed, Rep. John McGuire’s office said in March. U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner’s offices concurred in a joint statement on Wednesday.
The bipartisan bill, championed by Republican McGuire, of Goochland County, in the House and Democratic Sens. Kaine and Warner in the Senate, would direct the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to issue a right-of-way for an emergency exit on a section of land owned by the U.S. National Park Service. That would allow the community of Wintergreen to construct an additional exit route down the mountain to use in case of an emergency.
“For over 25 years the community of Wintergreen has been trying to obtain permission to construct a 400’ gravel road which will allow our citizens a pathway to safety during certain wildfire scenarios,” Curtis Sheets, chief of Wintergreen Fire and Rescue, said in a statement in March.
If the bill passes the Senate, it will head to President Donald Trump’s desk for a signature or veto.
New director of the Virginia Department of Energy is a Radford University alum
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has appointed Vince Maiden to serve as director of the Virginia Department of Energy.
Maiden, who has a Bachelor of Science in geology from Radford University, has completed executive leadership programs through the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University.
“Energy costs are too high for too many Virginia families and businesses. As we focus on making energy more affordable, we are bringing in more experts who can manage our resources wisely and deliver real results for Virginians,” Spanberger said in a statement.
She pointed out that Maiden spent his career in the energy sector and that he “understands what it takes to turn that work into economic opportunity for communities across the commonwealth.”
Maiden began his work in energy by leading the department’s transportation initiatives under the Youngkin administration. He became managing director of the State Energy Office, where he directed development of the Virginia Energy Plan and led the state’s work across energy security, efficiency, grid resilience, clean transportation and emerging technologies. The office expanded Virginia’s energy modeling capabilities and secured hundreds of millions of dollars in federal investment to strengthen infrastructure, improve resilience and enhance affordability for Virginians under his direction, according to the governor’s office.
He also built and ran several of Virginia’s environmental programs before energy became his main focus. He directed the Commonwealth’s Brownfields Program and oversaw one of the largest environmental remediation efforts in Virginia’s history. He established Virginia’s Brightfields Initiative, which aims to turn underused industrial sites into productive energy assets.
“Whether it’s keeping mine workers safe, reclaiming abandoned mine land and putting it back to productive use, or making sure Virginians can afford to keep the lights on, I intend to make sure this agency is a real partner to the communities and workers who depend on it,” Maiden said in a statement.
