Jeion Ward Hampton Roads Waste-to-Energy Grant Program Struck Down in House Committee

RICHMOND, Va. — A proposed grant program aimed at encouraging waste disposal through incineration facilities in the Hampton Roads region met a swift end in the Virginia House of Delegates this session. House Bill 115, introduced by Delegate Jeion Ward of Hampton, sought to establish the Waste to Energy Grant Program under the Department of Environmental Quality. The measure would have provided $30,000 grants to counties, cities, and towns in Planning District 23 on a first-come, first-served basis, covering costs associated with sending waste to local qualifying plants.

Planning District 23 encompasses the Hampton Roads area, including major localities such as Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and others. Qualifying waste-to-energy plants were defined as facilities in the district that combust waste to produce steam, industrial process heat, mechanical power, or electricity. Eligible applicants would need to submit documentation including the plant used, amount of waste disposed, and proof of payment like invoices or bills of sale.

The bill stipulated that grants would only be available subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, placing the onus on lawmakers to allocate taxpayer funds for the initiative. The Department of Environmental Quality would administer the program, issue guidelines, and, if any grants were awarded in a given year, submit an annual report by December 31 to key committees: the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources; the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources; the House Committee on Appropriations; and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations. The report would detail program utilization and impacts on waste management and energy production in recipient areas.

Prefiled on January 2, 2026, and offered January 14, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources. It landed in the Natural Resources Subcommittee, where members unanimously recommended striking it from the docket by a vote of 10-0 on January 28. The full committee followed suit on February 18, leaving HB115 dead for the session.

This outcome underscores the committee’s vigilance over state spending priorities. With no dedicated funding source outlined and reliance on future appropriations, the program raised questions about fiscal implications at a time when Virginia faces competing demands for limited resources. Supporters of restrained government intervention point to the unanimous rejection as evidence of prudent oversight, preventing the creation of a new entitlement program confined to one specific region.

Waste-to-energy facilities offer a practical means of converting municipal solid waste into usable energy, reducing landfill dependence and generating power for local grids. Facilities in Hampton Roads have long played a role in regional waste management, processing thousands of tons annually. However, the push for state-subsidized grants highlights ongoing debates over whether public incentives are necessary for such operations, which often operate efficiently through private contracts with localities.

Delegate Ward, representing District 87 in Hampton–a locality squarely within Planning District 23–championed the bill as a tool to incentivize greater use of these plants. Yet the subcommittee’s decisive action, including votes from members across the aisle, signals broad agreement that market-driven solutions suffice without additional state mandates or expenditures.

The failure of HB115 aligns with a pattern in the committee, where lawmakers scrutinize proposals that could expand departmental roles or commit funds without clear returns. The Natural Resources Subcommittee, chaired by Delegate Kathy Tran, includes experienced legislators focused on balancing environmental goals with economic realities. Members such as those who participated in the vote demonstrated a commitment to avoiding programs that might distort local waste disposal choices or strain the general fund.

Virginia’s waste management landscape relies heavily on a mix of landfills, recycling, and incineration. Hampton Roads’ infrastructure, including plants operated by companies like Covanta, handles significant volumes, contributing to energy production equivalent to powering thousands of homes. Critics of grant programs argue that such subsidies could encourage dependency rather than innovation, potentially increasing costs for all Virginians through higher taxes or fees.

As the 2026 session progresses, the defeat of this bill serves as a reminder of lawmakers’ role in prioritizing essential services. With no amendments proposed and swift dismissal, HB115 joins other measures sidelined early, allowing focus on broader initiatives that deliver value without regional earmarks. The unanimous subcommittee vote reflects a consensus-driven approach to governance, emphasizing accountability in how public dollars are deployed for waste and energy challenges.

Email the House of Delegates at:
Jessica Anderson: DelJAnderson@house.virginia.gov,
Bonita Anthony: DelBAnthony@house.virginia.gov,
Alex Askew: DelAAskew@house.virginia.gov,
Terry Austin: DelTAustin@house.virginia.gov,
Jason Ballard: DelJBallard@house.virginia.gov,
Robert Bloxom, Jr.: DelRBloxom@house.virginia.gov,
Gretchen Bulova: DelGBulova@house.virginia.gov,
Katrina Callsen: DelKCallsen@house.virginia.gov,
Karen Carnegie: DelKCarnegie@house.virginia.gov,
Betsy Carr: DelBCarr@house.virginia.gov,
Stacey Carroll: DelSCarroll@house.virginia.gov,
Mike Cherry: DelMCherry@house.virginia.gov,
Nadarius Clark: DelNClark@house.virginia.gov,
Laura Cohen: DelLJCohen@house.virginia.gov,
Joshua Cole: DelJCole@house.virginia.gov,
Nicole Cole: DelNCole@house.virginia.gov,
Kelly Convirs-Fowler: DelKConvirs-Fowler@house.virginia.gov,
Mitchell Cornett: DelMCornett@house.virginia.gov,
Rae Cousins: DelRCousins@house.virginia.gov,
Will Davis: DelWDavis@house.virginia.gov,
Karrie Delaney: DelKDelaney@house.virginia.gov,
Lindsey Dougherty: DelLDougherty@house.virginia.gov,
Mark Downey: DelMDowney@house.virginia.gov,
Michael Feggans: DelMFeggans@house.virginia.gov,
Hyland Fowler, Jr.: DelBFowler@house.virginia.gov,
Lily Franklin: DelLFranklin@house.virginia.gov,
Margaret Franklin: DelMFranklin@house.virginia.gov,
Debra Gardner: DelDGardner@house.virginia.gov,
Thomas Garrett, Jr.: DelTGarrett@house.virginia.gov,
Jackie Glass: DelJGlass@house.virginia.gov,
Timothy Griffin: DelTGriffin@house.virginia.gov,
Elizabeth Guzman: DelEGuzman@house.virginia.gov,
Karen Hamilton: DelKHamilton@house.virginia.gov,
Cliff Hayes, Jr.: DelCHayes@house.virginia.gov,
Dan Helmer: DelDHelmer@house.virginia.gov,
Rozia Henson, Jr.: DelRHenson@house.virginia.gov,
Phil Hernandez: DelPHernandez@house.virginia.gov,
Charniele Herring: DelCHerring@house.virginia.gov,
Keith Hodges: DelKHodges@house.virginia.gov,
Patrick Hope: DelPHope@house.virginia.gov,
Hillary Kent: DelHKent@house.virginia.gov,
Karen Keys-Gamarra: DelKKeys-Gamarra@house.virginia.gov,
Terry Kilgore: DelTKilgore@house.virginia.gov,
Paul Krizek: DelPKrizek@house.virginia.gov,
Amy Laufer: DelALaufer@house.virginia.gov,
Destiny LeVere Bolling: DelDLeVereBolling@house.virginia.gov,
Jay Leftwich, Jr.: DelJLeftwich@house.virginia.gov,
Alfonso Lopez: DelALopez@house.virginia.gov,
Fernando Martinez: DelMMartinez@house.virginia.gov,
John McAuliff: DelJMcAuliff@house.virginia.gov,
Adele McClure: DelAMcClure@house.virginia.gov,
Garrett McGuire: DelGMcGuire@house.virginia.gov,
Ellen McLaughlin: DelEMcLaughlin@house.virginia.gov,
Joseph McNamara: DelJMcNamara@house.virginia.gov,
Kirk McPike: DelKMcPike@house.virginia.gov,
Delores McQuinn: DelDMcQuinn@house.virginia.gov,
Leslie Mehta: DelLMehta@house.virginia.gov,
Will Morefield: DelJMorefield@house.virginia.gov,
May Nivar: DelMNivar@house.virginia.gov,
Israel O’Quinn: DeliOquinn@house.virginia.gov,
Delores Oates: DelDOates@house.virginia.gov,
Justin Pence: DelJPence@house.virginia.gov,
Eric Phillips: DelEPhillips@house.virginia.gov,
Kimberly Pope Adams: DelKPopeAdams@house.virginia.gov,
Cia Price: DelMPrice@house.virginia.gov,
Sam Rasoul: DelSRasoul@house.virginia.gov,
Atoosa Reaser: DelAReaser@house.virginia.gov,
David Reid: DelDReid@house.virginia.gov,
Andrew Rice: DelARice@house.virginia.gov,
Chris Runion: DelCRunion@house.virginia.gov,
Charles Schmidt, Jr.: DelCSchmidt@house.virginia.gov,
Don Scott: DelDScott@house.virginia.gov,
Phillip Scott: DelPScott@house.virginia.gov,
Holly Seibold: DelHSeibold@house.virginia.gov,
Briana Sewell: DelBSewell@house.virginia.gov,
Irene Shin: DelIShin@house.virginia.gov,
Marcus Simon: DelMSimon@house.virginia.gov,
Shelly Simonds: DelSSimonds@house.virginia.gov,
JJ Singh: DelJSingh@house.virginia.gov,
Rip Sullivan, Jr.: DelRSullivan@house.virginia.gov,
Anne Tata: DelAFTata@house.virginia.gov,
Josh Thomas: DelJThomas@house.virginia.gov,
Virgil Thornton, Sr.: DelVThornton@house.virginia.gov,
Luke Torian: DelLTorian@house.virginia.gov,
Kathy Tran: DelKTran@house.virginia.gov,
Howard Wachsmann, Jr.: DelOWachsmann@house.virginia.gov,
Wendell Walker: DelWWalker@house.virginia.gov,
Jeion Ward: DelJWard@house.virginia.gov,
Lee Ware: DelLWare@house.virginia.gov,
Vivian Watts: DelVWatts@house.virginia.gov,
Michael Webert: DelMWebert@house.virginia.gov,
Madison Whittle: DelMWhittle@house.virginia.gov,
Bill Wiley: DelBWiley@house.virginia.gov,
Rodney Willett: DelRWillett@house.virginia.gov,
Wren Williams: DelWWilliams@house.virginia.gov,
Tony Wilt: DelTWilt@house.virginia.gov,
Thomas Wright, Jr.: DelTWright@house.virginia.gov,
Scott Wyatt: DelSWyatt@house.virginia.gov,
Eric Zehr: DelEZehr@house.virginia.gov,

Email the Virginia Senate At:
Lashrecse Aird - senatoraird@senate.virginia.gov,
Lamont Bagby - senatorbagby@senate.virginia.gov,
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker - senatorbennett-parker@senate.virginia.gov,
Jennifer Boysko - senatorboysko@senate.virginia.gov,
Jennifer Carroll Foy - senatorcarrollfoy@senate.virginia.gov,
Luther Cifers - senatorcifers@senate.virginia.gov,
Christie Craig - senatorcraig@senate.virginia.gov,
Creigh Deeds - senatordeeds@senate.virginia.gov,
Bill DeSteph - senatordesteph@senate.virginia.gov,
Danny Diggs - senatordiggs@senate.virginia.gov,
Tara Durant - senatordurant@senate.virginia.gov,
Barbara Favola - senatorfavola@senate.virginia.gov,
Timmy French - senatorfrench@senate.virginia.gov,
Travis Hackworth - senatorhackworth@senate.virginia.gov,
Christopher Head - senatorhead@senate.virginia.gov,
Michael Jones - senatorjones@senate.virginia.gov,
Emily Jordan - senatorjordan@senate.virginia.gov,
Mamie Locke - senatorlocke@senate.virginia.gov,
Louise Lucas - senatorlucas@senate.virginia.gov,
David Marsden - senatormarsden@senate.virginia.gov,
Ryan McDougle - senatormcdougle@senate.virginia.gov,
Jeremy McPike - senatormcpike@senate.virginia.gov,
Tammy Mulchi - senatormulchi@senate.virginia.gov,
Mark Obenshain - senatorobenshain@senate.virginia.gov,
Mark Peake - senatorpeake@senate.virginia.gov,
Stella Pekarsky - senatorpekarsky@senate.virginia.gov,
Russet Perry - senatorperry@senate.virginia.gov,
Todd Pillion - senatorpillion@senate.virginia.gov,
Bryce Reeves - senatorreeves@senate.virginia.gov,
Danica Roem - senatorroem@senate.virginia.gov,
Aaron Rouse - senatorrouse@senate.virginia.gov,
Saddam Salim - senatorsalim@senate.virginia.gov,
Kannan Srinivasan - senatorsrinivasan@senate.virginia.gov,
William Stanley - senatorstanley@senate.virginia.gov,
Richard Stuart - senatorstuart@senate.virginia.gov,
Glen Sturtevant - senatorsturtevant@senate.virginia.gov,
David Suetterlein - senatorsuetterlein@senate.virginia.gov,
Scott Surovell - senatorsurovell@senate.virginia.gov,
Schuyler VanValkenburg - senatorvanvalkenburg@senate.virginia.gov,
Angelia Williams Graves - senatorwilliamsgraves@senate.virginia.gov,

Email the Newport News School Board:
Lisa R. Surles-Law,
Terri L. Best,
Rebecca S. Aman, rebecca.aman@nn.k12.va.us,
Douglas C. Brown,
Maritsa Alger,
Rasheena D. Harris, Rasheena.Harris@nn.k12.va.us,
Gary B. Hunter,

Email Newport News City Council at:
Phillip Jones — mayorsoffice@nnva.gov,
Marcellus Harris — council@nnva.gov,
Curtis Bethany — council@nnva.gov,
Cleon Long — council@nnva.gov,
Robert Coleman — council@nnva.gov,
Tina Vick — council@nnva.gov,
John Eley — council@nnva.gov,

Email the Norfolk City Council:
Kenneth Alexander, mayor@norfolk.gov,
Martin Thomas, martin.thomas@norfolk.gov,
Courtney Doyle, courtney.doyle@norfolk.gov,
Mamie Johnson, mamie.johnson@norfolk.gov,
John Paige, john.paige@norfolk.gov,
Thomas Smigiel, thomas.smigiel@norfolk.gov,
Jeremy McGee, jeremy.mcgee@norfolk.gov,
Carlos Clanton, carlos.clanton@norfolk.gov,

Email the Norfolk School Board:
Tiffany Moore-Buffaloe, tiffany.buffaloe@nps.k12.va.us,
Sarah DiCalogero, sarah.dicalogero@nps.k12.va.us,
Tanya Bhasin, tbhasin@nps.k12.va.us,
Adale Martin, amartin@nps.k12.va.us,
Kenneth Paulson, ken.paulson@nps.k12.va.us,
Jodi Slaughter, jodi.slaughter@nps.k12.va.us,
Alfreda Thomas, alfreda.thomas@nps.k12.va.us,

Email the Richmond City Council:
Andrew Breton, andrew.breton@rva.gov,
Katherine Jordan, katherine.jordan@rva.gov,
Kenya Gibson, kenya.gibson@rva.gov,
Sarah Abubaker, sarah.abubaker@rva.gov,
Stephanie Lynch, stephanie.lynch@rva.gov,
Ellen Robertson, ellen.robertson@rva.gov,
Cynthia Newbille, cynthia.newbille@rva.gov,
Reva Trammell, reva.trammell@rva.gov,
Nicole Jones, nicole.jones@rva.gov,

Email the Richmond School Board:
Matthew Percival, mpercival@rvaschools.net,
Kathryn Ricard, kricard@rvaschools.net,
Ali Faruk, afaruk@rvaschools.net,
Wesley Hedgepeth, whedgepeth@rvaschools.net,
Stephanie Rizzi, srizzi@rvaschools.net,
Anne Holton, aholton@rvaschools.net,
Cheryl Burke, cburke2@rvaschools.net,
Emmett Jafari, ejafari@rvaschools.net,
Shavonda Fernandez, sdixon@rvaschools.net,

Virginia Beach City Council:
Robert Dyer, mayorsoffice@vbgov.com,
Michael Berlucchi, mberlucc@vbgov.com,
Stacy Cummings, stcummings@vbgov.com,
Barbara Henley, bhenley@vbgov.com,
David Hutcheson, dhutcheson@vbgov.com,
Cal Jackson-Green, cjacksongreen@vbgov.com,
Robert Remick, wremick@vbgov.com,
Amelia Ross-Hammond, arosshammond@vbgov.com,
Jennifer Rouse, jvrouse@vbgov.com,
Joashua Schulman, jschulman@vbgov.com,
Rosemary Wilson, rcwilson@vbgov.com,
Group email: CityCouncil@vbgov.com,

Virginia Beach School Board:
Kathleen Brown, Kathleen.Brown@vbcpsboard.com,
Carolyn Weems, Carolyn.Weems@vbcpsboard.com,
Mark Bohenstiel, Mark.Bohenstiel@vbcpsboard.com,
Michael Callan, Michael.Callan@vbcpsboard.com,
David Culpepper, David.Culpepper@vbcpsboard.com,
Matt Cummings, Matt.Cummings@vbcpsboard.com,
Rose Dwyer, Rose.Dwyer@vbcpsboard.com,
Sharon Felton, Sharon.Felton@vbcpsboard.com,
Alveta Green, Alveta.Green@vbcpsboard.com,
Kimberly Melnyk, Kimberly.Melnyk@vbcpsboard.com,
Melinda Rogers, Melinda.Rogers@vbcpsboard.com,
Group email: SchoolBoard@vbcpsboard.com,