March 14, 2013
RICHMOND, Virginia (AP)— The federal government has cleared the way for Virginia to seek a research lease in Atlantic waters to measure winds, waves and wildlife and help speed development of offshore wind turbines.
The announcement Thursday by U.S. Interior Department's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management was welcomed by Gov. Bob McDonnell, energy companies and proponents of clean energy.
Bidding is expected later this year by up to 10 energy companies that have expressed an interest in building wind farms in the federally designated leasing area, which encompasses 133 square miles about 27 miles off Virginia Beach.
The data collected by the research platforms positioned in the northern and southern portions of the leasing area are critical to developing wind energy.
Story copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The comments sections of Newsplex.com are designed for thoughtful, intelligent conversation and debate. We want to hear from our viewers, but we only ask that you use your best judgment. E-mail is required, but will not be displayed with comment.
As a host Newsplex.com welcomes a wide spectrum of opinions. However this is a site that we host. We have a responsibility to all our readers to try to keep our comment section fair and decent. For that reason The Newsplex reserves the right to not post or to remove any comment.
If you have any ideas to improve the conversation or this section let us know. Send an e-mail to webmaster@newsplex.com.
powered by Disqus
