What's New?
The Department of the Interior and BOEM are implementing President Trump’s memorandum temporarily halting offshore wind leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf. The memorandum also pauses new or renewed approvals, rights-of-way, permits, leases, or loans for offshore wind projects pending a review of federal wind leasing and permitting practices.
Efforts Under Way
There are two proposed/ongoing activities in and around the Virginia Wind Energy Area (WEA), which are listed below.
- Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project (CVOW) - Commercial Lease
- Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project (CVOW) - Research Lease
Public Engagement
BOEM has coordinated Outer Continental Shelf renewable energy activities with its federal, state, local, and tribal government partners through the Virginia Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force. BOEM has also coordinated public information meetings to help keep interested stakeholders updated on major renewable energy milestones. To obtain information discussed during these meetings click on the links below.
Environmental Studies
BOEM has funded or considered numerous studies to collect information about the marine environment to support decisions concerning offshore renewable energy development. For more information, please visit: http://www.boem.gov/VA-Environmental-Studies/.
Related Press Releases
- Biden-Harris Administration Approves Largest Offshore Wind Project in the Nation (10/31/2023)
- BOEM Completes Environmental Analysis for Proposed Wind Project Offshore Virginia (9/25/2023)
- BOEM Announces Environmental Review of Proposed Wind Energy Facility Offshore Virginia (07/07/2021)
- BOEM Advances Review for Two Proposed Wind Projects Off Atlantic Coast (12/12/2022)
- BOEM Announces Environmental Review of Proposed Wind Energy Facility Offshore Virginia (07/07/2021)
- BOEM and USACE Collaborate to Meet Offshore Wind Goals (6/14/2021)
- BOEM Approves Virginia’s Offshore Wind Research Activities Plan (03/24/2016)
- BOEM Issues First Wind Energy Research Lease in Federal Offshore Waters (03/26/2015)
- BOEM Achieves Milestone for Virginia Offshore Wind Research Project (12/01/2014)
- BOEM to Conduct Environmental Review of Renewable Energy Research Activities Offshore Virginia (03/13/2014)
- Milestone Cleared for Second Wind Energy Research Lease Offshore Virginia (12/06/2013)
- Interior Holds Second Competitive Lease Sale for Renewable Energy in Federal Waters (09/04/2013)
- BOEM Announces Second Potential Wind Energy Research Lease for Federal Waters Offshore Virginia (7/29/2013)
- Interior Announces Nation’s Second Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Lease Sale (7/22/2013)
- Milestone cleared for wind energy research lease offshore Virginia (3/14/2013)
- BOEM to Convene Renewable Energy Public Seminars in Rhode Island and Virginia for Offshore Wind Development (1/14/2013)
- BOEM Announces Potential Research Lease Offshore Virginia (12/20/2012)
- Interior Announces First-Ever Renewable Energy Lease Sales on the Outer Continental Shelf (11/30/2012)
- Obama Administration Announces Major Steps toward Leasing for Offshore Wind Projects in Mid-Atlantic (2/02/2012)
- Obama Administration Initiates Leasing Process for Commercial Wind Development Offshore Virginia (2/02/2012)
- Salazar Launches 'Smart from the Start' Initiative to Speed Offshore Wind Energy Development off the Atlantic Coast (11/23/2010)