WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The Biden Administration’s commitment to a clean energy economy received a boost when Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, alongside Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, announced the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. As proposed, the project will be located approximately 23.5 miles from the Virginia coast, will generate enough power for roughly 1.5 million homes, and will create about 1,500 construction and 1,100 long-term jobs.

“Responsibly developed offshore wind power is a vital component of our transition to a clean energy economy, and we applaud this step forward for Virginia,” said Catherine Bowes, offshore wind program director at the National Wildlife Federation. “We look forward to working with the Biden and Northam administrations, industry leaders, and our many partners to ensure that all offshore wind projects protect wildlife every step of the way while centering environmental justice and investing in jobs and clean energy that benefit local communities. America’s pursuit of this critical climate solution must be guided by robust stakeholder input and scientific integrity throughout the process in order to protect and benefit people and wildlife alike.”

"On the one-year anniversary of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, we are excited to see Virginia continue taking steps to reach our commitment to a 100 percent carbon-free electricity grid by 2045 in the development of our Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project,” said Narissa Turner, clean energy and climate policy manager at the Virginia Conservation Network. “As we continue our progress we encourage the Commonwealth to stay engaged every step of the way to ensure the responsible development of offshore wind."

The Biden Administration has set an ambitious target of 30 gigawatts of installed offshore wind energy by 2030, which will create nearly 80,000 jobs. This will be the administration’s fifth notice of intent to move forward with proposed offshore wind projects along the Atlantic coast. Once published in the Federal Register on July 2, this step will initiate a 30-day public comment period.

The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is one of the most ambitious offshore wind projects in the United States. It was kickstarted by the passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which became law one year ago today. The massive offshore wind project will help reach Virginia’s goal of a 100 percent carbon-free electricity grid by 2045 while spurring clean energy job growth and combating climate change.

For more information on the National Wildlife Federation’s work to advance responsibly developed offshore wind energy visit offshorewind.nwf.org