Push for offshore wind power in Va.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A broad coalition of environmental groups is urging the Obama administration to continue to advocate for wind development in Atlantic waters.

Environment Virginia says it will release a letter on Tuesday expressing that widely held sentiment. Besides environmental groups, others pushing for offshore wind development in the letter include state and federal legislators, conservationists and business owners.

Dominion Virginia Power is among the power companies that have expressed interest in developing wind turbines in federal waters off Virginia, but the clean energy source has been slow to develop in the U.S. No commercial wind power is produced offshore in the U.S.

Advocates say waters off Virginia are especially suited for wind energy. The waters are relatively shallow and the winds powerful.