September 21st, 2011
Eileen Levandoski
Why offshore wind? Why Virginia?
Harnessing the wind off Virginia’s coast could provide enough energy to power 700,000 homes by the end of this decade. Plus the opportunities for job creation are huge. An aggressive build-out of offshore wind farms would create over 10,000 well-paying, local, career-length jobs right here in the Commonwealth. With plentiful offshore winds, a deep water port and a skilled and experienced labor force, Virginia could be the east coast capital for America’s new offshore wind industry.
VA4Wind is a new coalition that has come together in an effort to spur offshore wind energy development off of Virginia’s coast. Member groups include the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Green Jobs Alliance and Virginia Interfaith Power & Light.
Let’s get this thing blowing! Click here to TAKE ACTION for Virginia offshore wind power today!
September 21st, 2011
Eileen Levandoski
Promise us that you’ll put our VA4Wind bumper sticker on your car, and we’ll send you one for free! Check out our “Power Tools” page for more details about how you can help carry the message: “Come On, Dominion. Let’s Get This Blowing!”
September 13th, 2011
Eileen Levandoski
Outside the United Steelworkers Local 8888 in Newport News today, Virginia’s largest labor unions together announced their support for Virginia offshore wind development. Standing in solidarity with the Newport News shipyards in the background were representatives with the United Steelworkers (USW), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA), Iron Workers, the Building and Construction Trades Council, and others.
“This is an opportunity to develop thousands of good paying union jobs in Virginia, which would enable our children and our children’s children to raise a family and share in the American dream,” said Bill Harriday, international staff representative for United Steelworkers.
“Our workers stand uniquely-equipped and trained to tackle green energy projects like offshore wind power. We believe our workforce to be one-of-a-kind when it comes to constructing advanced-tech wind turbines,” said Josh Collins, Virginia political and policy director for the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA). “We welcome this opportunity to join forces with our allies in VA 4 Wind Coalition to push for long-term sustainable energy solutions that will be a boon to thousands of unemployed workers.”
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August 31st, 2011
Beth
Groups Ask State Corporation Commission to Ensure Utilities Invest in Clean Air, Clean Energy, and Green Jobs for Virginia
Richmond, VA – With the commonwealth’s largest utilities submitting their long term plans for meeting Virginia’s electricity needs to Virginia’s regulators later this week, a group of public health and environmental organizations called for a vision for a clean energy future. Appalachian Voices, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Sierra Club, and Southern Environmental Law Center are calling on the State Corporation Commission to ensure that “Integrated Resource Plans” from Dominion and AEP address the needs and concerns of Virginia’s ratepayers, workers, and citizens by increasing investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy, rather than spending billions of ratepayer dollars to extend the lives of some of the companies’ oldest and dirtiest energy sources or investing in risky new coal-fired power plants.
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August 17th, 2011
Eileen Levandoski
If offshore wind power is going to happen off Virginia’s coast then it’s because Dominion Virginia Power let it.
As residents of Virginia and customers of Dominion, we must pressure our largest utility company to invest in Virginia offshore wind. Click here to sign our petition today and tell Dominion “Virginia wants wind power!”
Harnessing the wind off Virginia’s coast could provide enough energy to power 700,000 homes by the end of the decade. It’s a clean, renewable resource right off our own shores and the technology is available today! Plus the opportunities for job creation are huge. An aggressive build-out of offshore wind farms would create over 10,000 well-paying, local, career-length jobs right here in the Commonwealth.
It’s up to Dominion to lead the way. Sign our petition to Dominion today!”
July 26th, 2011
Beth
Rolling Climate Rallies in Alexandria, Richmond and Virginia Beach focus on Offshore Wind Power
We’ve seen it in Congress, we’ve seen it at the UN climate talks, and we’ve seen it at the statehouse in Richmond: the infuriating lack of motion on climate solutions.
To get things moving we need people power and inspiration. Thankfully, on September 24, we’ll get a planet-sized dose of both as tens of thousands of people across the globe take to the streets on roller blades, bicycles, skateboards, strollers and all manner of people-powered vehicles for 350.org’s Moving Planet day of climate action.
Events in Alexandria, Richmond and Virginia Beach will focus on what could be one of Virginia’s best climate solutions- offshore wind power.
Check out Moving Planet in:
Alexandria
Richmond
Virginia Beach
Moving Planet is a single day to move away from fossil fuels. For too long, our leaders have denied and delayed, compromised and caved. That era must come to an end. You can help us move Virginia’s leaders away from their coal addiction and toward clean, renewable wind energy.
Come on bike, on skates, on a board, or just on foot. Come with your neighbors and your friends, your family and your co-workers. Come be a part of something huge. It’s time to get moving on the climate crisis. We want to get hundreds of people in Virginia to show their support for offshore wind power to help solve the climate crisis.
May 10th, 2011
Eileen Levandoski
Initiative could create 10,000 jobs, provide power for 700,000 homes
RICHMOND – A coalition of Virginia environmental, labor, and business leaders today announced the creation of the VA4Wind coalition, which aims to make Virginia the offshore wind energy capital of the east coast. Because Dominion Virginia Power is the commonwealth’s largest electric utility, the coalition is calling on the company to develop a large-scale offshore wind energy project off of Virginia’s coast. VA4Wind’s primary members, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, the Green Jobs Alliance, Interfaith Power & Light, and the Sierra Club Virginia chapter, formally announced the launch of their effort at a press conference this morning in Richmond. Representatives of Virginia’s labor, business, and faith communities joined VA4Wind leaders at the campaign launch.
At the event, VA4Wind leaders touted the plentiful benefits of offshore wind energy and the opportunities it provides for the commonwealth, including the addition of thousands of new jobs and a new revenue source for Virginia’s economy, cleaner air and water, and stable long-term energy prices. With plentiful offshore winds, a deepwater port and a skilled and experienced labor force, Virginia could easily be the east coast capital for America’s new offshore wind industry.
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April 7th, 2011
admin
Join Chesapeake Climate Action Network, the Sierra Club and others for “Energize Virginia: A Citizens’ Summit on Offshore Wind Power” June 4, 2011, 10 am to 3:30 pm at Richmond’s CenterStage, 600 East Grace Street in downtown Richmond.
Off our coast, there are strong, consistent winds ready to be harnessed to generate clean, renewable power. Virginia has a chance to create 10,000 jobs and power 700,000 homes with offshore wind energy if we come together and get started now.
This first citizens’ conference of offshore wind power in the Commonwealth provides a perfect opportunity to learn, ask questions, and get armed with the facts about wind off our coast. Hear powerful and expert speakers who will explain the issue in-depth and inspire action. Enjoy a day jam-packed with programming designed to encourage action and foster leadership in support of Virginia offshore wind.
Affordable registration fee includes lunch. Space is limited so click here to register TODAY.
April 1st, 2011
Eileen Levandoski
In response to Dominion announcement yesterday (March 31) regarding a planned study focusing on a potential offshore wind transmission line, VA4Wind released the following statement:
“Virginia’s environmental groups applaud Dominion’s initiative to study development of an offshore wind transmission line emanating from Virginia Beach into the Atlantic. This study coupled with last year’s study supporting large-scale offshore wind energy grid integration capacities reinforces Dominion’s position as one of the nation’s leading electric utilities.
Today’s announcement also demonstrates Dominion’s full capability to champion Virginia’s offshore wind development. Harnessing the wind off Virginia’s coast could provide enough energy to power 700,000 homes by the end of this decade. It also spawns the creation of over 10,000 jobs with the wind industry’s complete build out. The best way to make this happen is for Virginia’s top utility to lead the way and we urge their full support of Virginia’s offshore wind development.
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March 30th, 2011
Eileen Levandoski
Join us for Virginia’s premiere wind conference:
- 60 speakers, 14 panel discussions
- industry leaders, stakeholders and policy makers
- face-to-face opportunities to discuss issues and solutions
- break open the way and craft plans to deploy wind energy off Virginia’s coast ASAP!
For more info, visit www.vawind2011.com.
