ROUNDUP: Central Atlantic Auction Grows Offshore Wind Industry
Lillian Anderson, Climate & Clean Energy Policy Manager at Virginia Conservation Network, tours the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project in the Central Atlantic.
Two new sites off the East Coast were leased at a Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) auction on August 14th. One Virginia site, about 177,000 acres, is 35 nautical miles from the Chesapeake Bay, just beyond the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project currently under construction. Dominion Energy won the bid for the Virginia site for just under $18 million.
The two Central Atlantic leases have the potential to power over 2.2 million homes with clean, renewable wind energy. Combined, the sale resulted in over $23 million in total bidding credits, resulting in millions of dollars invested in workforce training, the domestic supply chain, and fisheries compensatory mitigation.
“At the start of the Administration, our nation had approved zero offshore wind energy projects. Today, we have nine – enough to power nearly 5 million homes. This is what developing a clean energy transition looks like,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “Together, we are demonstrating that, in partnership with states, Tribes, ocean users, and industry, we can build an entirely new and sustainable industry that will meet the growing demands of our nation far into the future, while creating good-paying jobs and helping mitigate the threat of the climate crisis.”
What’s Next for Offshore Wind in Virginia?
It’s important to note that the purchase of a lease does not authorize the construction or operation of an offshore wind facility. As with all offshore wind projects so far, Dominion will need to follow all necessary steps of review to ensure these projects are built in a manner that protects our workforce and our environment.
To start a project in the newly leased area, Dominion will need to submit a project plan for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to review within the next year. BOEM will develop an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) before any construction and operations plan is approved. BOEM will consult with all relevant stakeholders, including Tribes, government agencies, ocean users, and the public when preparing the EIS.
In the meantime, BOEM is also already beginning the process for a second Central Atlantic offshore wind lease area sale. They are currently seeking public comments on the “call area” for the central Atlantic region and will host several virtual and in-person public meetings in September and October. Check out the upcoming events here to participate.
Statements from the Community
Virginia Conservation Network Partners released the following statements celebrating Virginia’s offshore wind energy progress. Check back for more statements.
Last updated on August 23rd, 2024.
Virginia Conservation Network
“Virginia Conservation Network is excited to support Dominion’s continued efforts to advance offshore wind projects that align with our clean energy goals. With three transformative projects set to deliver clean, reliable energy to millions, the Commonwealth is solidifying our status as a national leader in offshore wind.”
–Lillian Anderson, Climate & Clean Energy Policy & Campaigns Manager
BlueGreen Alliance
“This auction continues movement in the right direction toward offshore wind deployment in the United States and in the mid-Atlantic. The potential for good union jobs here is massive, as is the potential to generate clean energy to power our homes and businesses. We encourage these developers to work with the highly skilled, union workforce in the region to build these offshore wind projects.”
–Sarah Giltz, Director of Offshore Wind
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
“Offshore wind is the lynchpin of our clean energy transition, offering immense new economic and workforce development opportunities at the same time as we reduce our reliance on climate-warming fossil fuels. We are thrilled to see Virginia continue to lead in this space, and show the rest of the nation what is possible when you go all in on offshore wind”
– Victoria Higgins , Virginia Director
Lynnhaven River NOW
“Virginia can be a leader in offshore wind development. The most recent Dominion lease purchases show a long-term commitment to offshore wind development and all the benefits it can bring–a reliable source of renewable energy, a reduction in the emissions that are causing climate change, and good jobs for Virginia.”
– Karen Forget, Executive Director
Sierra Club Virginia Chapter
“The pursuit of offshore wind is the pursuit of more wealth, better health, and less pollution in Virginia. We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for empowering Virginia by advancing offshore wind with the sale of a third lease area off Virginia’s coast. Unlocking this clean energy source for the Commonwealth has the potential to power over 2.3 million homes, avoid approximately 17 million tons of harmful carbon emissions, and create thousands of family-supporting jobs. The pollution reduction is massive – equivalent to removing 4 million gas-powered cars from the road or 45.4 gas plants being shut down. Virginia’s pursuit of offshore wind is an example of how states can be ambitious and realistic, and this lease sale helps position Virginia as a leading example of responsible clean energy development.”
–Eileen Woll, Offshore Energy Program Director
Southern Environmental Law Center
“Bidding credits from this auction – which was the first to be held in a decade – will result in over $11 million in investments for workforce training and domestic supply chain and an additional $11 million for fisheries compensatory mitigation. In Virginia, we are already seeing the incredible potential of offshore wind with the CVOW project that is now under construction. Done responsibly and in strong collaboration with communities, state regulators, and BOEM, offshore wind is one of the smartest clean energy solutions that we’re not talking about enough. Successful events like this auction reiterate this and help propel conversations about clean energy and energy efficiency forward.”
–Grayson Holmes, Senior Attorney