I have to give credit where credit is due. Senator Frank Wagner (R-7th) of Virginia Beach sponsored a bill giving authority to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to grant an underwater land lease to a commercial wind farm off the coast of Virginia. The legislation directs also directs the commission to study if such a wind farm off our coasts is possible. The the returns on the study are in favor of a wind farm, development would then begin.

Here in Virginia, we seem to have two options. One is to support oil drilling off our coasts, opening our precious beaches and tourism industry up to an ecological desaster or, in the very least an eyesore from the coast and obstacle to the Navy. The second option, and this has many excited about the possibility, is to make use of our coastal winds to generate energy as a renwable source.

The proposed wind farm is not the final solution to Virginia’s energy needs, but it is a major step in the right direction. For example, solutions like the proposed wind farm will be crucial in achieving any Renewable Portfolio Standard established in Virginia. In 2007, Governor Tim Kaine signed a bill establishing Virginia’s future RPS at 12% by 2022. Gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran is seeking to increase that minimum to 25%.  According to the PEW Center on Global Climate Change, energy generated from wind counts double toward a state’s RPS.

Hopefully this is a clear, visible, and real start toward a long relationship between Virginia and renewable energy.

Related posts:

1. Half of Dominion’s “green” money program used for administrative costs