The following press release from Gov. Northam’s office looks good as far as it goes. But as I pointed out in my blog post yesterday on how other Atlantic Coast states are racing ahead of Virginia when it comes to harnessing their massive offshore wind potential, what’s REALLY needed is either a strong push for Dominion to get its act together and/or replacing Dominion with a company that already has its act together. Because, so far, mostly what Dominion has done when it comes to developing Virginia’s enormous offshore wind potential is to “slow walk,” stall, waste time…get the idea?
Virginia Selects Globally Recognized Team to Support Offshore Wind Industry Development
~ BVG Associates will help position Virginia as a prime location for the offshore wind supply chain and service industry along the East Coast ~
RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam announced today that the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) has selected BVG Associates to help develop strategies to strengthen Virginia’s position in attracting the offshore wind supply chain and service industry to the Commonwealth. The firm’s work will build on Virginia’s advantages and opportunities as well as provide recommendations to further enhance the Commonwealth’s port assets and maritime workforce.
“It’s time for Virginia to take significant steps forward to secure our clean energy future, and I look forward to working with BVG Associates to establish Virginia as the prime location for the offshore wind industry, from the supply chain to the full build-out of Virginia’s offshore wind resources,” said Governor Northam. “We hope that this effort will help enhance Hampton Roads’ unmatched port infrastructure and high-quality maritime workforce and ultimately lead to substantial economic and job growth in the Commonwealth.”
DMME issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on May 21, 2018 seeking extensive offshore wind industry expertise to assist the Commonwealth in its planning regarding industry supply chain, port infrastructure requirements, build-out of the various offshore wind supply chain sectors, and long-term maritime service needs. As part of this effort, BVG Associates is leveraging its North American and global partners with extensive offshore wind industry experience, including Ramboll Group A/S, Timmons Group, Greentree Consulting, LLC, and the Business Network for Offshore Wind.
“DMME’s comprehensive leadership role, reinforced by Virginia’s unique operational and economic advantages, will enable the offshore wind industry not only in Virginia but all along the U.S. East Coast,” said BVG Associates Advisory Director Andy Geissbuehler. “BVG Associates and its partners are excited to combine European experiences and U.S. expertise to collaborate with Virginia to plan leveraging its assets towards a location of choice for the offshore wind supply chain and service industry.”
“BVG Associates will assist Virginia in its aggressive pursuit of offshore wind supply chain and service industry business interests along the East Coast,”said Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy Director John Warren. “We are excited to work with an independent team of experts with global experience on this long-term economic development opportunity to capitalize on Virginia’s logistical and workforce advantage.”
Governor Northam also announced today the launch of www.vaoffshorewind.org, a one-stop shop to educate asset holders and industry prospects about existing and potential supply chain candidate businesses, assets, and workforce. BVG Associates will work to enhance this effort with Virginia’s offshore wind team, which will include individuals from the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade’s office, the Virginia Port Authority, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia maritime industry, and other local and regional partners.
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