WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria and Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, sent a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) urging them to expedite regulatory processes for offshore wind development in Coastal Virginia.
“Virginia’s diverse maritime industry, workforce, port assets, deep, wide channels, and no overhead obstructions have positioned the Commonwealth to become a hub for manufacturing and ongoing operations and maintenance activities for projects along the Atlantic Coast,” said the lawmakers in the letter. “We are proud that the first two wind turbines permitted and constructed in federal waters are off our Commonwealth’s coast, producing clean energy for Virginians. Unfortunately, we have heard from local stakeholders and constituents that the adjacent Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is at risk of delays due to the backlog at BOEM.”
In December 2020, Dominion Energy filed a Construction and Operations Plan (COP) for the 2,640-megawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind commercial project. In the letter, the lawmakers expressed concerns that bottlenecks in the permitting process may slow progress and prevent offshore wind investments. Currently, offshore wind developers have submitted thirteen COPs to BOEM but have yet to receive a clear timeline for action. This backlog could stifle the development of an offshore wind industry supply chain.
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Answer me this, old wise Democrats. What is the cost to make, build and install just one windmill? And how long must it turn to pay it off before there is a benefit to the people?