On Tuesday morning, CCAN's Virginia team and members of the newly created VA4Wind coalition came together to formally announce our campaign to bring offshore wind energy to Virginia. 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. We hope to compel Dominion to include offshore wind in its September 2011 Integrated Resources Plan (IRP).

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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.

In just a matter of weeks, VA4Wind has already collected more than 3,000 signatures from Virginians who want to see Dominion take concrete steps towards developing offshore wind power. In addition, more than 60 Virginia businesses and organizations have already pledged their support for offshore wind energy.

Sign the petition today, and if you own a business or non-profit, please add your business' name to our platform sign-on letter here.