Offshore wind an opportunity for state

Federal push to expand green energy could create an economic boom for Hampton Roads

If all goes well, offshore wind energy is about to become big business in the United States, and Virginia — with Hampton Roads playing point — is well positioned to have a major role. The Biden administration announced that it’s ready to invest in a major expansion of the use of offshore wind power along the East Coast of the United States. Plans include billions of dollars in federal loan guarantees and accelerating the permitting process for wind projects off the Atlantic coast.

The administration also proposes to invest in upgrading ports so that they can do what it takes to support construction of offshore wind projects.

We’re ready. With strong winds and relatively shallow waters, the coast of Virginia is ideally suited for offshore wind farms.

Dominion Energy has already been moving ahead. Last summer, the company announced the completion of its first offshore wind project, with two giant wind turbines 27 miles out into the Atlantic, off the coast of Virginia Beach. That’s the first wind project in federal waters off the U.S. coast. The only other offshore project so far is in state waters off Rhode Island.

This pilot project is expected to be just the beginning for Dominion’s push into this promising area of green energy. Increased support from the federal government should be good news.

Virginia leaders are already solidly behind the idea. Gov. Ralph Northam and legislative leaders have enthusiastically supported efforts to make the commonwealth a national leader in offshore wind energy and the industries that will support it. The General Assembly has made wind and solar energy public priorities, and it has eased regulations. In Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach and other cities have pledged their support for offshore wind projects.

Hampton Roads is ideally situated to be at the center of this expansion of an important source of sustainable energy. The region already has good ports and infrastructure, so it’s encouraging to hear that the Biden administration recognizes the vital role of ports. That support could also mean good things for this region’s future.

There’s great potential for development of industries here that manufacture the machinery that makes up offshore wind farms, for projects off our coast and elsewhere in the Atlantic. When dealing with giant pieces of equipment, it’s efficient to make them close to the ports that can ship them out.

With the massive shipbuilding and maritime industries already here, Hampton Roads has a lot of know-how and a capable workforce.

The pieces seem to be in place. And the time is right, at last.

Until now, the United States has been behind Europe and Asia in developing offshore wind energy. Unfortunately, the last few years have seen an emphasis in Washington on supporting continued use of oil and coal even though their supplies are dwindling, and they are major contributors to the pollution that causes climate change.

So it’s heartening now to see the Biden administration’s strong support for offshore wind projects and other greener sources of energy. It’s smart to build for the future rather than prolong dependence on fossil fuels.

Here in Hampton Roads, helping to move the nation toward cleaner energy is critically important. The warming climate contributes to the rising sea levels and more intense storms that threaten our homes, our businesses and industries, and the military bases that are so vital to our economy and to the nation’s security.

That makes this expansion a potential win-win situation. The growth of offshore wind and other sources of green energy should have long-run benefits for the Hampton Roads economy and our way of life.

The Biden administration’s strong support for developing offshore wind energy should have more immediate benefits here. This is a promising opportunity for building on the pieces that are already in place — the right sorts of winds and coastal waters; support of political, civic and business leaders; and good ports, infrastructure and a vital workforce.

The potential is here. Let’s make it happen.