Monday, January 26, 2009

Senate panel OKs bill encouraging wind-farm leasing off Va.

By Dave ForsterThe Virginian-Pilot© January 26, 2009
RICHMOND

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission would get the authority to lease underwater land for an offshore wind farm under a bill that passed a Senate committee today.

State Sen. Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, is sponsoring the bill, SB1350. The legislation also directs the Marine Resources Commission to study whether there is suitable land off Virginia’s coast to support a commercial offshore wind farm, and if there is, to try to lease it for development.

The legislation would pave the way for wind energy production in Virginia, especially off southern Virginia Beach, where some of the most ideal spots appear to be near False Cape State Park and the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Wagner said.

“There would be no one to have to look at it,” Wagner said of the soaring windmills typical of such projects.

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