Cross-Party Criticism Over Wind Farm Delay
In an unusual show of unity, political figures across the spectrum are voicing strong objections to the recent suspension of work on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind initiative.
On Monday, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, together with Representative Bobby Scott, released a joint statement condemning the 90-day construction halt. They described the decision as "reckless" and "haphazard," arguing it endangers substantial private investments, jeopardizes numerous well-paying jobs in a region with many veterans, compromises energy independence, and damages U.S. government credibility.
Representative Bobby Scott, representing Newport News and its industrial waterfront, highlighted the significant local support for the $11.2 billion project, which aims to build 176 turbines off Virginia Beach.
While Democratic lawmakers have frequently criticized White House policies, opposition from Republican members is less common. However, Representative Jen Kiggans of Virginia Beach has joined the critique, labeling the suspension "disastrous" for both national security—the stated rationale of the administration—and for electricity consumers.
I have been working with the Department of the Interior and Governor Youngkin for months to safeguard Virginia’s Coastal Offshore Wind Project, and I am deeply disappointed by this news. This new directive will negatively affect Hampton Roads, thousands of workers and the amount of energy that can be produced. It will also undermine military readiness.
Naval Air Station Oceana is the U.S. Navy’s East Coast master jet base and is in urgent need of a comprehensive power grid upgrade—a project connected to CVOW that has now been halted by Dominion Energy. I will continue to fight to ensure Virginia’s offshore wind project is completed, especially since ratepayers have already paid for it.
Halting CVOW at this stage is disastrous for our energy security, our local economy, and our national security as it relates to military readiness. I am anxiously awaiting answers from the administration regarding this directive.
— Rep. Jen Kiggans, (R-Virginia Beach)
Representative Kiggans, now in her second term, has consistently backed Dominion Energy's 113,000-acre wind farm. Upon completion, the project is expected to generate 2.6 gigawatts of electricity, sufficient to power approximately 660,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions equivalent to taking one million cars off the road annually.
