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Warner, Kaine, and Scott Applaud Approval of Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project and Over $39 Million in Federal Funding to Support Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. – [Tuesday], U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (D-VA) and U.S. Representative Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) applauded the Administration’s announcement of its approval of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) commercial project off the coast of the Hampton Roads region, which is expected to power over 650,000 homes, create thousands of jobs, and grow Hampton Roads’ economy. The CVOW project will be the largest commercial-scale offshore wind project in America. 

In addition to the approval of the project, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced $39,265,000 in federal funding for the City of Norfolk Economic Development Authority, which is working to convert an existing marine terminal and berth to an offshore wind logistics facility that will support the CVOW project and other projects. Specifically, the funding will make improvements to the berth to support heavy lift requirements and construction of a floating pier. This funding will go toward existing efforts to transform Lamberts Point, also known as Fairwinds Landing, into an offshore wind hub. The funding was awarded through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).

“Virginia’s economy wins when we work together to embrace innovative technologies. We’re thrilled that the Administration approved the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) commercial project and announced significant federal funding to build an offshore wind logistics facility,” said the lawmakers. “Today’s announcement reaffirms Virginia as a leader in offshore wind. It wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of stakeholders in the region, investments we’ve secured to support the Port of Virginia, and legislation we passed in Congress, like the Inflation Reduction Act, to advance clean energy. We look forward to continuing to work with regional leaders during the next phases of this project and seeing the positive impacts this will have for the region’s economy.”

Warner, Kaine, and Scott have long supported the CVOW project and advocated for the project’s approval. Warner, Kaine, and Scott have secured significant funding for the Port of Virginia, including $20 million in funding for improvements to Portsmouth Marine Terminal that will allow it to serve as a staging area to support the manufacturing and movement of offshore wind goods to support the CVOW project. The Inflation Reduction Act, which passed by one vote in the Senate and was supported by Warner, Kaine and Scott, included significant incentives to accelerate the production of renewable energy and support projects like this one.