PURPOSE OF NOTICE: The Department of Environmental Quality is announcing the establishment of a Regulatory Advisory Panel (Panel or RAP) to assist the Department in developing a regulation for off shore wind renewable energy projects to implement Virginia Acts of Assembly Chapters 808 and 854 (2009 HB 2175/SB 1347). The Department is seeking persons interested in serving on the Panel.

 DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTAL OF REQUESTS:      April 15, 2010

 BACKGROUND: During the 2009 legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly passed HB 2175/SB 1347 (Virginia Acts of Assembly Chapters 808 and 854), which require the Department to develop regulations that establish one or more permits by rule necessary for the construction and operation of small renewable energy projects, including such conditions and standards necessary to protect the Commonwealth’s natural resources. 

 PURPOSE OF PANEL: The Department is establishing this Panel to review the subject legislation and make recommendations to the Department on how to implement the law’s provisions concerning coastal and offshore wind projects. It is anticipated that discussion topics will include how the Department might address potential environmental impacts, including analysis of impacts, mitigation plans, facility site planning, public participation, permit fees, inter-agency consultations, enforcement and compliance, and other topics that may be brought up during the public comment period. The Department is also publishing a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action to begin the rulemaking process to implement this legislation with regard to offshore wind energy projects. The Panel established in response to this notice will be the Panel used to assist the Department in the development of the offshore wind energy permit by rule regulation, or amendments to the proposed wind energy permit by rule regulation. Members of the original Panel on wind energy projects will be invited to notify the Department if they wish to participate in this offshore wind energy Panel, and other interested parties are also encouraged to request to serve on the offshore wind Panel.