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September 22, 2020
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<br />12. Casey Shaw, 154 Rolfe Terrace, commented in support of this item.
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<br />13. David Savige, 5661 Craneybrook Lane, commented in support of this item.
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<br />14. Kathleen Foster, 4727 River Shore Road, commented in support of this item.
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<br />15. Sandra Wilson, 509 Bobby Jones Court, commented in support of this item.
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<br />16. Elizabeth Respess, 3321 Carney Farm Lane, commented in support of this item.
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<br />17. Kathy Batkin, 5629 Springwood Drive, commented in support of this item.
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<br />18. Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky, P. O. Box 50141, commented in support of this item.
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<br />19. Tanya Hodnett, 3604 Blaine Street, commented in support of this item.
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<br />Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Battle, to adopt the following
<br />resolution, and was adopted by the following vote:
<br />
<br />“RESOLUTION SUPPORTING OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT OFF THE COAST
<br />OF VIRGINIA.
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> numerous reports, including a 2018 report from the Virginia
<br />Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME), have identified the potential for
<br />significant economic development opportunities for Virginia and the Hampton Roads area
<br />from the emerging offshore wind industry; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> there are currently over 26,000 Megawatts (MW) of Offshore Wind
<br />(OSW) projects in the planning and development stages along the Atlantic, enough to
<br />power over 15 million homes; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> the International Energy Agency projects the U.S. offshore wind
<br />industry could grow to be worth $1 trillion a year; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> Virginia and the Hampton Roads area have several competitive
<br />advantages for attracting the offshore wind industry, including the nation’s largest
<br />shipbuilding industry, unmatched port infrastructure, abundant land, and waterfront
<br />infrastructure; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> researchers estimate that with full build out of the offshore wind
<br />industry over 14,000 jobs would be created, many in the Hampton Roads area; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> these are high-paying, local, long-term jobs that can employ a broad
<br />range of Virginians including people in low-income communities, high school and college
<br />graduates, returning citizens, and veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> the Hampton Roads area is home to a robust network of community
<br />colleges, trade schools, world-class universities, and labor apprenticeship programs, that
<br />coupled with investments in the state’s workforce development, can quickly avail a ready
<br />workforce to support Hampton Roads’ establishment as a major hub for the offshore wind
<br />industry; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> the 2020 Virginia budget provides up to $40 million for economic
<br />development projects at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal related to the offshore wind
<br />industry; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> offshore wind energy can help the region reduce its greenhouse gas
<br />emissions, diversify its energy supply, and provide cost competitive electricity; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> offshore wind energy can help Virginia meets it goals, pursuant to the
<br />2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act, to generate 100% of its electric power from clean
<br />renewable energy sources by 2035; and
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