BALTIMORE (AP) — Federal officials say offshore wind farms from New Jersey to Virginia are closer to reality after a review showed the renewable energy source would leave no major environmental damage.

Obama administration Interior Secretary Ken Salazar also said Thursday his department also was trying to speed up the process for issuing renewable energy leases.

Dominion Virginia Power says it is interested in building up to 400 wind turbines in Atlantic waters as soon as they are open for development.

The Interior Department said before the waters would be opened, the public would have a chance to comment on the projects.