Off Shore Wind Farms Discussed

A new authority promoting the development of wind farms off Virginia's coast met for the first time, reviewing a raft of reports on the emerging energy source.

The Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority met in suburban Richmond on Tuesday. The authority's eight members represent power companies, people involved in the financing of wind energy and others connected with industries and interests linked to offshore winds.

One report reviewed by authority members included an offshore wind study by Dominion Virginia Power . The study concluded that Dominion's transmission system in the Virginia Beach area can handle a potential interconnection from a large-scale offshore wind facility.
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Wind Farms Will Not Interfere with NASA or the Navy

A new report says a wind farm off the coast of Virginia Beach wouldn't affect Navy or NASA operations in the area.

The report by the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium also says a 600-megawatt offshore wind farm could supply 10 percent of the commonwealth's electricity needs.

Researchers identified 25 potential lease spots for turbines in an area 12 miles off Virginia Beach's coast.

State Sen. Frank Wagner says at least three companies have expressed interest in developing wind farms.

Proponents say Virginia's coastal area has ideal winds to turn the massive blades of offshore turbines.

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