Offshore Wind Power with a Lynchburg Link

A Lynchburg company is considering the possibility of developing wind power off the coast of Virginia, as reported by the Lynchburg News & Advance.

Initiatives like this could be great for Virginia by providing alternative energy and bringing new jobs to the Commonwealth. Homeowners should encourage government officials to work with businesses in pursuing this idea and making it a reality that will boost the state's economy and protect home values.

"A Lynchburg firm best known for its nuclear power plants just might be interested in developing wind power off the Virginia coast. That was the news last week from a meeting of Virginia’s Manufacturing Development Commission, which met at Areva’s offices on Old Forest Road.

The potential for a wind energy project off the coast could benefit the state in two ways. First, the wind farm would add to the state’s alternative sources of power generation, which would reduce the state’s and the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. Second, it could generate as many as 8,000 manufacturing and construction jobs in the state.

Sen. Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, told the commission he wants to clear the way for offshore wind energy projects in the state. He presented a draft of a bill that would create a state agency to coordinate such offshore wind farms.

While Areva is far better known for manufacturing nuclear power plant components that span the world, the firm is keeping abreast of wind power developments as well. Kim Stein, Areva’s wind business development director, told the commission that Areva would like to build wind turbines in the state. He said that building and installing the structures could create at least 8,000 jobs in the state."

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