COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

US Offshore Wind Survey Contract for Fugro Atlantic

Fugro Atlantic to undertake a geological and geophysical survey for the Virginia Wind Energy Area for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The survey area covers over 45,000ha in the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf and is seen to be a key step forward in developing offshore energy supplies in the region. In awarding the contract, Commonwealth of Virginia governor Bob McDonnell said: “[This is] a positive move forward toward the development of offshore wind energy, an important and promising component of my plan to develop all of the commonwealth’s domestic energy from local resources to make Virginia the ‘Energy Capital of the East Coast’.” Fugro Atlantic vice president Tom McNeilan, indicated that the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf has never been developed for energy purposes and there is little record of how installed structures have performed and only basic knowledge of the character of the seafloor and sub-surface is available. Fugro’s successful execution of detailed geotechnical and geophysical investigations for the Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound, which is set to be the first commercial-scale, offshore American wind farm, led to Fugro being selected to complete this important survey of the Virginia Wind Energy Area. Source: New Civil Engineer

Rail-Barge Service from Eastern Shore to Resume

Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that the Bay Coast Railroad Car Barge will resume service next week as a result of a partnership between the Commonwealth, area localities, and the Bay Coast Railroad.  The barge, which was removed from service last year, provides connecting service between the Virginia’s Eastern Shore and Norfolk/Virginia Beach. Last year, the Bay Coast Railroad suspended service on the barge when it identified $1 million in structural deficiencies critical to

Virginia Passes Bill to Ban Solid Waste Barges

The 1999 session of the Commonwealth of Virginia's General Assembly passed legislation prohibiting the transportation of solid waste on the Commonwealth's navigable waterways. State Senator William T. Bolling (R) introduced Senate Bill 1308 in response to the volume of solid waste transported to Virginia for disposal, as well as the possibility that New York City will seek to increase this volume because existing city landfills are scheduled to close by 2001.

VDGIF Gets 2 New Safeboats

Conservation police officers with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) unveiled their newest tool in serving as First Tier Responders for small craft engaged in suspicious water-based activities today at an event at Osborne Boating Landing. The two, new 21-foot, 12-man Safeboats will enhance conservation police officers' surveillance, detection, and intervention capabilities as they patrol the Norfolk, Newport News and Portsmouth harbor areas.

Gamesa, Northrop Grumman Launch Offshore Wind Technology Center

Gamesa Technology Corp., a global wind energy company, and the shipbuilding operations of Northrop Grumman Corp., America's largest shipbuilder, launched the Offshore Wind Technology Center to jointly develop the next generation of offshore wind systems that will be deployed in the United States and around the world. Plans call for the development of North America's first offshore wind turbines by late next year.  

General Dynamics Awarded Second U.S. Navy Sub

The U.S. Navy has released $1.2b for the construction of the 14th Virginia-class submarine, SSN-787, to General Dynamics Electric Boat, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).  This award marks the beginning of production of two submarines per year on the Virginia-class program.   The release of the funding allows procurement of long lead-time components that will support the planned official construction start later this year on the as-yet-unnamed submarine at

Indian Ocean Offshore Joint Management Zone Actioned

Indian Ocean Islands, Seychelles & Mauritius join forces to manage exploitation of world's largest offshore continental shelf area. With the help of the Commonwealth Secretariat Seychelles and Mauritius have established a joint commission, the first of its kind, to manage an offshore zone comprising 400,000 sq. kilometers of continental shelf. This development comes after their successful joint claim to the continental shelf before the United Nations.

Northrop Grumman Delivers New Mexico Sub

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) delivered the sixth submarine of the Virginia class, New Mexico (SSN 779), to the U.S. Navy, four months ahead of schedule. New Mexico's 70-month construction period represents the shortest overall construction time of any Virginia-class submarine. The keel for New Mexico was authenticated April 12, 2008, and the ship was christened on Dec. 13, 2008. New Mexico, named for "The Land of Enchantment

Virginia – Vessel Sewage Discharges

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from all vessels are reasonably available on the navigable waters of the Lynnhaven River, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Discharge of sewage, whether treated or untreated, from any vessel in the Lynnhaven River is prohibited. Source: HK Law

Navy Awards General Dynamics $15.5M for Work on USS Virginia

The U.S. Navy awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $15.5 million contract modification to perform a range of work on USS Virginia (SSN-774) following its shakedown period. The work, known as a Post-Shakedown Availability, comprises maintenance, repairs, alterations, testing and other activities and will be completed in November 2006. Ninety-nine percent of the work will be performed at Electric Boat's shipyard here; one percent will be performed at Quonset Point, R.I