The Associated Press- Norfolk- A company seeking the first government permit to build an offshore wind farm has dramatically scaled back its plans along Virginia's Eastern Shore. Dennis Quaranta, president of Winergy LLC, said he will ask the Army Corps of Engineers to consider a permit for as few as 10 windmills off Smith Island in the Atlantic Ocean, down from the 271 the company initially sought. The new proposal also would locate the wind farm several miles farther out to sea to appease Eastern Shore residents and environmentalists. Winenergy proposed its Eastern Shore plan, off the coast near the Virginia-Maryland line, 12 months ago. The windmills cost about 3.5 million each. Objections were filed by the Navy and NASA. Environmentalist said the turbine blades might kill migratory birds and waterfowl near two national wildlife refuges. In response, Quaranta proposed moving the project farther off shore between 5 and 12 miles from Smith Island and reducing the number of turbines. Environmentalists and wildife groups still have concerns. You are subscribed to VA-Richmond-General. To unsubscribe, send email to va-richmond-general-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. To adjust other settings (vacation, digest, etc.) please visit, //www.freelists.org/list/va-richmond-general.