It's WINDSday | February 28, 2024

Celebrating the Power of Wind, Clean Energy and a Green Environment

Get used to the name Stonepeak. The 13-year-old New York based firm, founded by Australian Michael Dorrell, will be a 50% owner of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project pending regulatory approval. That will give developer Dominion Energy an equity partner without sacrificing any operational control. According to Dominion, “Stonepeak is one of the

world's largest infrastructure investors with more than $61 billion in assets under management and an extensive track record of investment in large and complex energy infrastructure projects including offshore wind.”

As a matter of fact, a wind turbine is the first image you see at www.stonepeak.com

although the company, and its 276 investors, focus on a variety of assets that “power homes,

connect communities to the internet, feed families, enable travel, and deliver goods.”

In an interview with the Virginia Mercury, Dominion spokesman Aaron Ruby said the deal

will have no “impacts to the cost, customer bill impact, construction or operation of

CVOW and no change to the consumer protections approved by” Virginia’s State

Corporation Commission.

Meanwhile a barge containing eight more 250-foot, 1500-ton monopiles arrived at Portsmouth Marine Terminal last week after a long journey from Rostock, Germany, home of manufacturer EEW Special Pipe Constructions.

There are now 24 here, with 152 set to follow.

Dominion will begin installing them 27 miles off VA Beach in May.

That’s Dan Baxter, who lives in Virginia Beach, standing atop a long-closed municipal landfill. But this ex-dump is not Mount Trashmore. It’s off Jefferson Avenue in upper Newport News. Beside it is where public works processes raked leaves it vacuums off streets and converts into compost (and sells for $6 a yard) and a recycling center for cardboard and other permissible materials.

Dan, who was a volunteer paramedic back home in PA and then taught “Advanced Cardiac Life Support” at EVMS before earning a degree in Land Use Management at ODU, is today a paid coordinator and promoter of Newport News’ recycling program. He is not happy that Chesapeake ended curbside recycling and Virginia Beach is thinking about it. “The region just received a big federal grant for public education that begins this year. Why get out now?” he says. “These are popular programs, and I believe the citizens are willing to pay a little extra to have the convenience of curbside.” 

Recycling is a bit complicated. “The state mandates localities recycle 25% of their waste stream, but contamination of recycled materials, mostly through broken glass that has to be removed, reduces that volume,” says Dan, who is also the current president of the VA Recycling Association. “So get more good volume through marketing and education.” Newport News has no intention, yet, of ending curbside recycling. “But it’s always on the table,” he notes. The way to maintain it, he says, is understanding how to manage costs, charge citizens appropriately through affordable solid waste fees and then advocate to the city manager and council.

VA Beach says that for curbside to continue, costs will have to double to over $6 per household. Even though he works in Newport News, Beach resident Dan Baxter would urge his city council to go for it. 

Joe Harrow, Development Director at VersAbility pictured above with Kasia Grzelkowski, President and CEO of VersAbility

If you have a “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities,” you are, according to the government, “disabled.” Kasia Grzelkowski prefers “differently abled.”



The President and CEO of VersAbility, the 71-year-old Hampton-based agency formerly called the ARC of the Virginia Peninsula, views her 1,800 clients as individuals, capable of working for a living, and she has long-standing clients, from the Navy and Air Force to Dominion Energy and Howmet Aerospace, to prove it. “They process documents, load ships, and perform housekeeping, food service and custodial duties,” says unabashed WINDSday (and job-generating offshore wind) fan Grzelkowski. “We have them making eyeglasses at the Naval Weapons Station and scanning x-rays for Sentara.” 

VersAbility holds open houses for employers, many of whom are constantly hiring at all levels. “Today we can’t afford to keep talent on the sidelines,” says Development Director Joe Harrow. Yes, the “differently abled” often need transportation, housing (VersAbility runs eight residential homes), and workplace accommodations, but Harrow says, “they are not transient, meaning they show up on time and are very loyal.”

Wondering whether a VersAbility partner, or even its adult day program, has a place for you or a loved one who wants to be out of the house and productive? Start at www.versability.org.

You will pay a bit of a premium at Craft Burger on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach, but it’s worth it. “We only use Australian raised wagyu beef,” says owner Zach Aicher (pronounced eye-cur).

What makes wagyu (translated: Japanese cow) more expensive but also so tasty? According to www.foodandwine.com, “prior to slaughter, a cow bred for wagyu beef can amass up to 50% of its weight in fat thanks to a meticulous feeding routine, which can last up to two years.” Aicher tops his $15 wagyu burgers with everything from bacon and egg, pineapple and avocado to crab spread, pulled pork and more. “In season, we do soft shelled crab too.” There are also salads, wraps, brats, grilled tuna sandwiches and even veggie burgers on the menu. Zach is also proud of his cocktails as well as his diverse customer base. “We love our locals and during the summer, the tourists find us too.”

And if he’s not busy, take a moment to yak with Zach, a Roanoke native and Radford grad, who came east to be near his twin brother, a VA Wesleyan alum and now a VB police officer. “I also have a criminal justice degree,” says Zach. But thankfully for our palettes, his beat is on the grill at Craft Burger. For hours and directions, visit www.craftburger.com. 

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