The Virginia General Assembly created the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC)

The Virginia General Assembly created the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC) to identify and develop new and diversified coastal energy resources through multidisciplinary research collaborations and environmentally responsible strategies, especially offshore wind energy. Learn more

BOEM formed the Virginia Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Taskforce consisting of 134

BOEM formed the Virginia Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Taskforce consisting of 134. The taskforce advised BOEM on what is now Virginia’s Wind Energy Area (WEA) that protects ecologically sensitive areas, minimizes space use conflicts, and maximizes the area available for development.

The Virginia General Assembly established the Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Infrastructure Development Compact in 2009

The Virginia General Assembly established the Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Infrastructure Development Compact in 2009 with member states including: Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and New York. The compact was designed to: (1) study, develop and promote coordinated research and planning of the design, construction, utility interconnection, financing and operation…

Governor McDonnel signed bill to create Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority to identify barriers to the development of the offshore wind industry

Governor McDonnel signed bill to create Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority to identify barriers to the development of the offshore wind industry, collecting metocean and environmental data, upgrading port facilities to accommodate the manufacturing and assembly of project components and vessels, and applying for U.S. Dept. of Energy loans for…

The Bureau of Offshore Energy Management (BOEM) published a Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

The Bureau of Offshore Energy Management (BOEM) published a Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for commercial wind lease issuance and site assessment activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virgina.

The Common.wealth of Virginia, Department of Mines Minerals and Energy, submitted a research lease application to BOEM

The Common.wealth of Virginia, Department of Mines Minerals and Energy, submitted a research lease application to BOEM for the installation and operation of two 6-megawatt (MW) turbines, ancillary metocean facilities, a meteorological tower or buoy and installation of associated cabling to shore outside of the Virginia WEA

The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) and BOEM contracted with Fugro in 2013

The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) and BOEM contracted with Fugro in 2013 to conduct a regional geophysical survey across Virginia’s Wind Energy Area (WEA). Another survey was conducted in 2016. Learn more

Dominion Virginia Power won a federal offshore wind lease auction

Dominion Virginia Power won a federal offshore wind lease auction, acquiring an area more than 20 miles from shore. Learn more.

BOEM published a “Public Notice of an Unsolicited Request for an OCS Research Lease

BOEM published a “Public Notice of an Unsolicited Request for an OCS Research Lease, Request for Competitive Interest, and Request for Public Comment” in the Federal Register for a 30-day comment period to obtain public input on a research proposal received from the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy…

Dominion Virginia Power won a federal offshore wind lease auction

Dominion Virginia Power won a federal offshore wind lease auction, acquiring an area more than 20 miles from shore. Learn more.

BOEM published a “Determination of No Competitive Interest” and proceeded with the leasing process on a non-competitive basis

BOEM published a “Determination of No Competitive Interest” and proceeded with the leasing process on a non-competitive basis. This clears the way for DMME to submit a plan for renewable research activities.

BOEM announced that it would be seeking public comment on the research activities plan

BOEM announced that it would be seeking public comment on the research activities plan as it prepares an environmental assessment (EA) to analyze potential impacts from proposed wind energy research activities offshore Virginia.