Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
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Senior Obama administration officials will be in Norfolk on Monday to announce a coordinated effort by several federal agencies to more quickly develop wind energy off Virginia's coast by streamlining regulations and timetables, according to a source familiar with the announcement.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will be at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center near Nauticus to explain new efforts to "accelerate the responsible siting and development of offshore wind energy projects," according to a statement issued Friday by their departments.
Chu and Salazar also are expected to announce the availability of $50 million in competitive funding for efforts related to wind energy, the source said.
Virginia leaders and environmental officials have long supported exploring the development of wind power and have hoped that Hampton Roads could be a prime location for developing the industry.
Glen Besa, director of the Sierra Club's Virginia chapter, said Friday that he didn't know any details but hopes that areas will be identified as sites for potential wind energy development.
"Any progress in this area is most welcome," said Besa, an advocate for developing alternative energy sources.
At least two green-energy companies - Apex Wind Energy Corp. of Charlottesville, and Seawind Renewable Energy Corp. near Richmond - have submitted unsolicited proposals to federal officials seeking to lease space 12 to 25 miles off Virginia Beach for wind farms.
Last year, Virginia was among a number of East Coast states that joined the Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Consortium to participate in the promotion and development of wind energy resources. The state has also been selected as the home for a renewable energy office.
State officials also hope Virginia will be picked to host an offshore energy lab.
To further that goal, state Sen. Frank Wagner, a Virginia Beach Republican whose specialty is energy issues, has submitted a budget amendment that would allow the governor to use as much as $6 million in a discretionary fund at his disposal as matching funds for establishing such a lab in concert with the federal government.
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com
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So let me get this straight..
Oil and natural gas drilling platforms several dozen miles off the coast are hazards to navigation for shipping, but these wind turbines aren't? That's what entities like our local Democratic Party dominated editorial board would have us believe (I'm referring to past editorials they provided on this subject). Will recreational boating be allowed near these platforms (who knows, maybe the fish will want to 'hang out' around them!?. What is required in the way of infrastructure on shore to facilitate the distribution of electricity, if any is indeed generated? I know one must usually crawl before they walk, but there seems to be much that is not being presented on this at this point in time!
Just a campaign stop
This is a waste of money and nothing less than just a campaign stop. $50 million won't do squat and it is too little too late. Google is providing $5 BILLION!! for projects off the east coast, Virginia included and that is only 60% of the cost of the wind farm. Obama is a crook. He took trillions of dollars and gave to his banking and union buddies and could care less about our economy. $50 million will be enough to get him some votes, get some plans done so he can claim he created jobs and then nothing will be built except the Google project in that area which Obama will take credit for. Do note, there is NO federal money in the Google wind farm.
wonderful!
I fully support wind farms off our coast. This could be really great for Hampton Roads.