Offshore Wind Energy: Delivers ‘Endless’ Jobs, Billions for States

John Larson, director of public policy and economic development at the power company Dominion Energy Virginia, has participated in thousands of meetings talking about the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) farm that the utility is building 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach.

As the push to move to a clean energy economy in the U.S. accelerates, the offshore wind (OSW) industry has the potential to advance the transition by creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and stimulating local economies. With a national goal of developing 30 gigawatts (GW) of energy from OSW by 2030, a U.S.-based industry could attract $12 billion in direct private investment annually while reducing overall emissions, according to the Department of Energy (DOE). Generating 30GW of energy from offshore wind would power approximately 10 million homes annually.