Federal Shutdown Shuts Down Offshore Wind Power Progress

In Virginia, utility company Dominion Virginia Power has had the brakes of its offshore wind turbine development slammed by the recent federal government shutdown. While the next step of site assessment planning is waiting to be pursued, company officials can only wait to continue construction on the project, estimated to produce 2,000 megawatts of power when completed.

“We are fully committed to this development effort.” representatives of the company said. The wind turbines should generate enough power during the course of a year to power 700,000 Virginia homes. As the commitment to the project attempts to move forward, the delay of processing the necessary paperwork pushes back the ten year expected completion date.

The company’s bid of $1.3 million is an investment in the future of renewable energy and in line with the President Obama’s federal initiative for the research and development of renewable energy sources.