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R -20 -25 <br />A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT OFF THE <br />COAST OF VIRGINIA. <br />WHEREAS, numerous reports, including a 2018 report from the Virginia Department of <br />Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME), have identified the potential for significant economic <br />development opportunities for Virginia and the Hampton Roads area from the emerging offshore <br />wind industry; and <br />WHEREAS, there are currently over 26,000 Megawatts (MW) of Offshore Wind (OSW) <br />projects in the planning and development stages along the Atlantic, enough to power over 15 <br />million homes; and <br />WHEREAS, the International Energy Agency projects the U.S. offshore wind industry <br />could grow to be worth $1 trillion a year: and <br />WHEREAS, Virginia and the Hampton Roads area have several competitive advantages <br />for attracting the offshore wind industry, including the nation's largest shipbuilding industry, <br />unmatched port infrastructure, abundant land, and waterfront infrastructure; and <br />WHEREAS, researchers estimate that with full build out of the offshore wind industry <br />over 14,000 jobs would be created, many in the Hampton Roads area; and <br />WHEREAS, these are high - paying, local, long -term jobs that can employ a broad range <br />of Virginians including people in low- income communities, high school and college graduates, <br />returning citizens, and veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce; and <br />WHEREAS, the Hampton Roads area is home to a robust network of community <br />colleges, trade schools, world -class universities, and labor apprenticeship programs, that coupled <br />with investments in the state's workforce development, can quickly avail a ready workforce to <br />support Hampton Roads' establishment as a major hub for the offshore wind industry; and <br />WHEREAS, the 2020 Virginia budget provides up to $40 million for economic <br />development projects at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal related to the offshore wind industry; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, offshore wind energy can help the region reduce its greenhouse gas <br />emissions, diversify its energy supply, and provide cost competitive electricity; and <br />WHEREAS, offshore wind energy can help Virginia meets it goals, pursuant to the 2020 <br />Virginia Clean Economy Act, to generate 100% of its electric power from clean renewable <br />energy sources by 2035; and <br />WHEREAS, the Virginia Clean Economy Act codifies the delivery of 5,200MW of <br />offshore wind by 2034, with the first 2,600 MW to be in- service by 2028, enough electricity to <br />power over 650,000 Virginia homes; and <br />