Virginia’s plans for offshore wind installations will be weighed against the environment and socioeconomic impacts, the federal government said. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said it was assessing the potential impact of a planned 12 megawatt project backed by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. Described as a research project, BOEM said the two wind turbine generators planned by Virginia would set the course for a future offshore wind industry in the state. The federal department said its environmental assessment of the proposed project considers whether or not there will be any “environmental and socioeconomic consequences associated with the approval of the offshore wind research activities.” Public comments on the assessment will be vetted before the BOEM signs off on the project, the agency said Monday. Opponents of […]