Governor Ralph Northam announced that Virginia Department of Energy Chief Deputy, Jennifer Palestrant, received a top award at the offshore wind industry’s Ventus Awards Gala hosted by the Business Network for Offshore Wind. Chief Deputy Palestrant received the Talent Management Leadership award for her work in education programs and training for young professionals entering the offshore wind workforce.

In support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to build the American economy back better, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a plan to provide $54 million for small businesses pursuing climate and energy research and development projects as well the development of advanced scientific instrumentation through a funding opportunity announcement.

New York’s Port of Albany and Port of Virginia’s Portsmouth Marine Terminal have secured USD 49.5 million in grants from the federal pot for upgrades to support offshore wind development in the US, which set a target of 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 at the beginning of this year and has since significantly accelerated project permitting process.

Quebec’s delegate general in New York, Martine Hébert, visited Virginia this week on a trip to strengthen economic relations between her province and the commonwealth.

The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission is asking the General Assembly to set aside funding in the upcoming budget to establish an offshore wind supply chain development fund. Proponents say the fund would help existing companies transition to doing business in wind energy and offset costs of new workers and equipment.