(WFXR) — U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm visited both Lexington and Troutville on Wednesday in order to discuss clean energy with Roanoke Valley officials.

This tour comes less than two weeks after President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which reportedly has clean energy provisions to lower costs for families.

On Wednesday, Aug. 24, the lawmakers reportedly visited the Secure Futures Solar site in Lexington.

“The 444-kilowatt solar photovoltanic energy system began operations in December 2011 as the largest solar energy system in Virginia, built with American steel and solar panels and installed at prevailing wage rates,” Kaine’s office said. “Secure Futures Solar has been at the forefront in developing commercial-scale solar projects across Virginia since 2010.”

After that, WFXR News joined Kaine and Granholm as they stopped by Virginia Transformer Corporation in Troutville for a ribbon cutting of a new plant that will make transformers to power free-standing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

This news comes as provisions in both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act are expected give money to help states like Virginia go more green.

The senator’s office tells WFXR News that the Inflation Reduction Act will reduce carbon emissions by roughly 40% and boost domestic manufacturing by expanding incentives for clean energy and renewable energy technologies, as well as tax credits for the purchase of EVs.

Based on a recent analysis, these clean energy provisions are set to create nearly 1 million jobs per year, officials say.

In addition, Virginia is reportedly expected to receive $106,375,132 over the next five years through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to build EV charging stations.

“This is western Virginia and we will be producing components here that will help us have electric charging all over the country,” said Kaine.

Representatives from the Virginia Clean Energy Summit, the Roanoke Regional Chamber, and Virginia Western Community College also joined the senator in a Troutville for a Wednesday afternoon roundtable to discuss how clean energy fits into the Roanoke Valley.

The Inflation Reduction Act incentivizes private companies to invest in green energy, but some officials raised concerns about government efficiency. According to Granholm, fixing that is the next step forward.

“There was an agreement to take up a bill after the Inflation Reduction Act about how we can consolidate, how we can streamline permitting so we can reach this clean energy future we’d all like to see,” said Granholm.

Kaine is expected to be in Salem on Thursday, Aug. 25 to meet with members of the South Asian community and discuss topics ranging from gun violence to climate change. He will then travel in Galax to address the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on prescription drug prices, followed by a stop at the Blue Ridge Music Center for the National Park Service’s Founders Day, officials say.