HB 234

Abstract

Division of Offshore Wind; established. Establishes the Division of Offshore Wind in the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and gives it the following powers and duties: (i) to identify specific measures that will facilitate the establishment of the Hampton Roads region as a wind industry hub for offshore wind generation projects in state and federal waters off the United States coast; (ii) to coordinate state agencies' activities related to offshore wind; (iii) to develop and implement a stakeholder engagement strategy that identifies key groups, sets forth outreach objectives, and outlines a timeline for outreach and engagement; (iv) to identify regulatory and other barriers to the deployment of offshore wind and attraction of offshore wind supply chain businesses; and (v) to provide staff support for the Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority and facilitate fulfillment of the Authority's purpose and duties.

Secretary of Commerce and Trade; developmentof a Virginia Offshore Wind Master Plan. Directs the Secretaryof Commerce and Trade to develop a Virginia Offshore Wind MasterPlan that identifies specific measures that will facilitate the establishmentof the Hampton Roads region as a wind industry hub for wind energyprojects off the nation's Atlantic coast and incentivize the creationof employment opportunities in offshore wind projects and relatedinfrastructure. The plan is to be developed in consultation with the Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority and a work groupcomposed of representatives of interested persons. The measure requiresthe Secretary to submit the plan to the Governor and General Assemblyby December 1, 2020.