Norfolk, Virginia -- After two years of study, a group of scientists and energy experts has concluded that building a wind farm off Virginia Beach is feasible, would cost about $1 billion and could spur more than 1,000 "green" jobs over three years.

The most viable project, the group said, would consist of 196 turbines, each 300 feet tall, converting heavy offshore winds into electricity in waters roughly east of Back Bay.

The envisioned farm, which private energy interests would construct, would not interfere with tourism, fishing or military training -- the Navy even could become a partner, the study said.

One problem: Money for the next phase -- about $1 million to develop a pilot project of, say, three wind turbines -- is not included in the proposed state budget, a victim of Virginia's economic woes.

"Talk about bad timing," said Neil Rondorf, a vice president of Science Applications International Corp., a local consulting firm working on the offshore-wind study. "We're ready to go from theory to practice, and this happens."

The study is one of five alternative-energy initiatives being pursued by the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, based at Old Dominion University. Its chairman is Patrick Hatcher, an ODU professor, who also is leading another promising project -- turning algae into biodiesel fuel.

Created by the General Assembly in 2006, the consortium is a collection of scientists from multiple public universities, including ODU, Norfolk State University, Virginia Tech and James Madison University. Its intent: generate green-power ideas, which the private sector could then build out to market size.

The consortium has received about $3 million in state funds the past two budget cycles.

This year, the state budget recommended by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, a supporter of the consortium, contains no money for its continued efforts. About $1.6 million appropriated last year is expected to run out in June.

"Absolutely I'm worried," said state Sen. Frank W. Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, who championed the research center's creation. "Just look at what they've done with the little we've given them."

Wagner still is working on several alternative funding options, he said Tuesday. One idea, he said, is convincing state officials to redirect some money from Virginia's settlement of tobacco-related lawsuits. A commission set up to distribute millions of those dollars agreed in August to target renewable-energy projects, especially in Southside and Southwest Virginia.

Wagner also hopes to win federal green-power grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, but said he needs state matching money to have a shot at doing so.

Then there is President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package, part of which seeks to finance alternative- energy projects and research.

Tim Wilkins, a private consultant with Paliria Energy Inc. of Chesapeake, who is working on the offshore-wind project, was in Washington on Tuesday and today, hoping for a piece of the stimulus money.

He expects to meet with Virginia's congressional delegation, including U.S. Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner, so they might seek aid for the project.

They will not be alone. The American Wind Energy Association, a trade group, announced this week that it is hoping for stimulus money to pursue dozens of wind-power projects across the country.

The group is arguing that its counterpart in Europe is asking for $6.4 billion to jump-start wind energy as part of a proposed European Union public-spending package.

There is no offshore wind farm operating in the United States today, but interest is booming. Ocean projects are planned off New Jersey, Massachusetts and Delaware.