Massive windfarm project to be built off Virginia coast gains key federal approval
A power company’s plans for an enormous offshore wind farm off Virginia's southeast coast have received key federal approval
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A power company's plans for an enormous offshore wind farm off Virginia's coast gained key federal approval Tuesday after the Biden Administration evaluated the project's potential impact on the environment.
Dominion Energy received what's called a favorable “record of decision” from the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The agency considered efforts to minimize effects on marine life, such as endangered North Atlantic right whales, among other factors.
The utility will still need federal approval of its construction and operation plans before more pilings rise above the Atlantic Ocean. Two pilot turbines have been in place since 2020.
Dominion plans to build 176 turbines more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) off the coast from the hotels and touristy boardwalk of Virginia Beach. Dominion said its project will be the largest offshore wind farm under development in the United States.
The project is expected to generate 2.6 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power up to 660,000 homes once fully constructed, according to the utility. It added that the wind farm's output should generate fuel savings of $3 billion for customers in its first decade of operation.
Dominion expects construction to be completed by late 2026.
“Today’s approval of the largest offshore wind project in U.S. history builds on the undeniable momentum we are seeing," Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said in a statement, referring to four other offshore wind projects approved by President Joe Biden's administration.
The administration said it wants to build 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy
Read more on abcnews.go.com
