Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority

Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority

The Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority (VOWDA) was created by 2010 legislation — Title 45.2, Chapter 18, Code of Virginia. The mission of the Authority is to facilitate, coordinate and support development of the offshore wind energy industry, offshore wind energy projects and supply chain vendors by:

• Collecting metocean and environmental data;
• Identifying regulatory and administrative barriers;
• Working with local, state, and federal government agencies to upgrade port and logistic facilities and sites;
• Ensuring development is compatible with other ocean uses and avian/marine wildlife;
• Recommending ways to encourage and expedite offshore wind industry development.

Members

• Will Fediw (Chair)
  Vice President, Industry & Government Affairs
  Virginia Maritime Association

• Eileen Woll
  Offshore Energy Program Director
  Virginia Chapter Sierra Club

• Kathleen P. Owens
  Founder and President
  Beach Development Group

• Howard Shafferman
  Founder and Principal
  The Haswell Group, LLC

• Chris Gullickson (Vice Chair)
  Director, Economic Development
  Virginia Port Authority

• Ashley K. McLeod
  Lead Offshore Wind Public Affairs
  Avangrid Renewables

• Joseph Nash
  Energy and Environmental Consultant
  

• Bryan Stephens
  President and CEO
  Hampton Roads Chamber