New Coalition Seeks to Make Virginia the Offshore Wind Hub of the United States
As industry rapidly grows, diverse coalition aims to support Virginia’s burgeoning offshore wind industry and its clean energy and economic benefits
Virginia businesses, chambers of commerce, civic organizations, universities, and more have joined together to launch Virginians for Offshore Wind, a coalition dedicated to advancing the offshore wind industry and the clean energy transformation and economic opportunities that come with it. The group’s mission is to make the Commonwealth the offshore wind hub of the United States.
With the list of Virginia leaders expected to grow in the coming weeks, initial coalition partners include the Atlantic Avenue Association, Black BRAND, Center for the Advancement of Sustainable Energy at James Madison University, Conservatives for Clean Energy, Hampton Roads Alliance, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Hampton Roads Pride, Hispanic Resource Center, Norfolk State University, O’Connor Brewing, Old Dominion University, the Patriotic Festival, Portsmouth Partnership, Tidewater Community College, Urban League of Hampton Roads, Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum, Virginia Beach Hotel Association, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, among others. We are a Dominion Energy-supported coalition committed to providing an active, educational resource for Virginians.
“Virginia has made tremendous progress as the Mid-Atlantic hub of the U.S offshore wind industry. Dominion Energy recently announced they will use Portsmouth Marine Terminal, the nation’s premier offshore wind port facility, to stage construction of Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, the largest offshore wind project in the country. In addition, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, the world’s leading offshore wind turbine supplier, chose Virginia as the location for the first U.S. offshore wind blade facility. These are important milestones for the U.S. offshore wind industry and for Virginia,” said Doug Smith, president and chief executive officer of the Hampton Roads Alliance. “These industry commitments and support from groups like Virginians for Offshore Wind will help anchor Virginia as an offshore wind supply chain hub and bring the potential for significant additional capital investment and job creation.”
“Offshore wind doesn’t just impact coastal Virginia. It impacts all of Virginia. Everyone reaps the benefits that these projects have to offer – from the positive environmental impacts to job creation,” said Michel Zajur, CEO and founder of the Virginia Hispanic Chamber. “Whether you’re a restauranteur, in the tourism industry, a manufacturer, or business owner, you will see positive changes from offshore wind projects, including throughout the Latino community and other communities of color. That’s why it’s important for all of us to get behind these projects and support this coalition.” The mission of this coalition is two-fold: support clean energy development in Virginia and promote clean jobs and economic growth. Our coalition aims to educate Virginians about the Commonwealth’s progress toward becoming a nationwide leader in offshore wind and provide fact-based resources where residents can find project updates, news stories, and research. Coalition members joined because they have a shared belief that offshore wind will benefit the entire commonwealth, including individuals, families, and businesses, as well as the East Coast and nation, through the economic and clean energy developments the industry brings. Our members recognize the short- and long-term benefits of this project and want to see it advance and thrive. Virginia is poised to lead the nation in clean energy, but it will take the efforts of many stakeholders in education, business, academia, and government to take advantage of this once-in-a-generation opportunity.
“On behalf of the Atlantic Avenue Association, we are excited to be a part of this wonderful clean energy coalition now and for years to come. You have to invest in a community for it to grow and prosper, and Virginia Beach is well situated for investment in offshore wind projects. We’re happy that offshore wind production is picking up steam, thanks to efforts like Virginians for Offshore Wind. Bringing money, businesses, and jobs to Virginia Beach is crucial for future generations. This is truly a chance for Virginia Beach to be renowned as the hub for clean energy production,” said George Kotarides, president of the Atlantic Avenue Association.
Importantly, the offshore wind industry has diverse, statewide support. On the Virginians for Offshore Wind launch, Remy Pangle, Managing Director, Education Manager at the Center for the Advancement of Sustainable Energy at James Madison University, said, “The offshore wind industry will have far-reaching benefits in the Commonwealth and nationwide. Day-in and day-out, I work to educate school administrators and educators of the environmental and economic benefits of offshore wind. I am excited to be a part of an organization that is also working to educate and engage individuals statewide about this industry and the importance of advancing clean energy through offshore wind.”
The Virginians for Offshore Wind coalition understands the positive impacts that offshore wind projects have on the community and is aiming to educate more Virginians about the clean energy, economic, workforce, and environmental benefits of these projects. Offshore wind development is a win for Virginians, the state, and the country.
“Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce applauds the Offshore Wind Project as it is powering Virginia and America ‘s future by offering more effective solutions to our climate crisis while creating jobs, encouraging massive investment in the state economy, while driving high-tech innovation across the Commonwealth,” said My Lan Tran, executive director of the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce. “Our diverse statewide members, partners, and communities are uniting in solidarity behind the coalition to help advance our shared goals in using wind power to transform the national power grid to a low-cost, reliable and renewable power system. This Project will deliver large amounts of clean and reliable electricity to the Commonwealth’s largest population centers, where it’s needed most, positioning Hampton Roads and Virginia as leaders in science, technology and innovation. That’s exciting!”
About Virginians for Offshore Wind
Virginians for Offshore Wind is dedicated to promoting offshore wind in Virginia, including the clean energy transformation and economic opportunities that come with it. Virginians for Offshore Wind is a Dominion Energy-supported coalition of Virginia organizations focused on educating Virginians about critical offshore wind energy projects such as the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project that will help the Commonwealth achieve its clean energy, economic, and environmental goals. To learn more, visit www.virginiaosw.org.