Frequently Asked Questions

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has a multi-step process to identify areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) that appear most suitable for commercial wind energy activities, while presenting the fewest apparent environmental and user conflicts, including conflicts with the operation of fisheries.

Due to safety concerns, some areas will be temporarily unavailable for fishing and vessel traffic during construction of the project. However, upon completion of project construction, the lease area will be open to vessel traffic and fishing activities. Dominion Energy will make sure to communicate the status of construction and availability of the area to the public through active stakeholder outreach and Local Notice to Mariners.

Dominion Energy has no intention to restrict fishing within the lease area and is committed to working with fishers to ensure any restrictions on fishing in or around the turbines will be temporary and limited in area or during certain work activities.

Dominion Energy will utilize various options to ensure proper navigation around the project during construction, including application of safety vessel(s) and cardinal buoys. Additionally, Local Notices to Mariners (LNTM) will be released in due course prior to construction, and Dominion Energy will maintain ongoing coordination with the port authority, the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy Fleet Forces. A project communications plan will also be established to maintain this crucial interface and ensure awareness of ongoing construction activities at the project site.

Cables are planned to be buried below stable seabed elevation based on existing sediment conditions. A Cable Burial Risk Assessment (CBRA) is being conducted to determine appropriate cable burial depths.

Results from recent field and laboratory studies have not shown measurable effects and responses to EMF at the low EMF intensities associated with Marine Renewable Energy. The potential for EMF impact on bottom dwelling fishes and benthic invertebrates continues to be the subject of ongoing studies.

We plan to use Charybdis to install the 176 turbines for Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind. To do this, we will seek Affiliates Act approval from the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

The Charybdis is being built in Texas and, when commissioned, will be homeported in Hampton Roads. In June 2021, the company announced a charter agreement with offshore wind developers Ørsted and Eversource to use Charybdis for the construction on two projects in the Northeast. The charter’s terms will allow the vessel, subject to state regulatory approval, to support construction of CVOW.