The offshore wind industry is starting to emerge in Virginia. Renewable energy initiatives are being addressed in every level of government and across a broad spectrum within industry. The public is motivated to find ways to reduce energy consumption and use cleaner sources of energy without the negative environmental impacts. Renewable energy has proven elsewhere to have great potential for economic growth through new jobs and the development of new opportunities for business and manufacturing.

Virginia has an opportunity to become the leader in one of the newest and fastest growing industries in the nation – offshore wind. Virginia is the ideal location for an offshore wind farm for a variety of reasons including:

• » Sustained class 5 and 6 winds

• » A long, shallow continental shelf

• » Natural hurricane protection from the Outer Banks

• » Deep water ports

• » An existing robust maritime and manufacturing industry in the Hampton Roads region

With Virginia’s ever-increasing energy consumption and the need to find Virginia-based sources to reduce the amount of imported energy, the need has never been greater. Wind is a clean, perpetual and renewable energy source, just waiting to be developed. And, with the creation of offshore wind farms and the opportunity for Virginia to be the manufacturing hub for wind farms up and down the East Coast, the development of this industry is a win-win for the Commonwealth.

Virginia has lagged behind other coastal states in the country in creating a friendly, attractive environment for manufacturers and developers for the offshore wind industry. With current estimates of offshore wind generating more than $15 Billion of capital investment along the East Coast in the next ten years, it is important for Virginia to level the playing field. It is vital that changes be made now to bring the industry to Virginia and capitalize on our many assets.