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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Virginia Initiates Offshore Wind Authority

04/05/2010
Virginia has created its own Offshore Wind Development Authority focused on facilitating and supporting the development of an offshore wind industry and wind-powered electric energy facilities located off the coast of the Commonwealth.

The Authority will identify existing state and regulatory or administrative barriers to the development of the industry, collect environmental data and is tasked with upgrading port project components and vessels that will support such projects.

Governor Bob McDonnell said the project, as well as several other approved energy incentive measures, is part of his goal to make Virginia "The Energy Capital of the East Coast."

"Currently, Virginia is the second largest importer of electricity in America, trailing only California. We need to take immediate steps to produce more energy right here, and to do so in a comprehensive manner. We need more oil, coal and natural gas, but we also need more wind, solar, biomass and nuclear production as well," said in a statement.

The state has also initiated a green job tax credit will encourage more alternative energy entrepreneurs to make do business with the state.

The creation of the Virginia Universities Clean Energy Development and Economic Stimulus Foundation will focus our efforts to promote green energy research and development in as well.

"With the creation of the Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority we are taking important steps to make wind energy a reality in Virginia's coastal waters," stated the press release.

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