Originally published on May 11, 2021 6:47 pm
The country’s first large-scale offshore wind project has cleared its final significant regulatory hurdle, bringing the long-anticipated U.S. offshore wind revolution one step closer to reality.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Interior Department announced it had approved Vineyard Wind’s plan to build an 800-megawatt wind farm off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. This so-called “Record of Decision” comes two months after the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) completed a final environmental review of the project.
This “is a significant milestone in our efforts to build a clean and more equitable energy future while addressing the climate emergency,” Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said during a press briefing Tuesday. “Offshore wind is a critical component of the president’s priorities, and it’s an important opportunity for growth in the United States.”
The New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal will serve as the onshore staging ground for Vineyard Wind s project. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)
The country’s first large-scale offshore wind project has cleared its final significant regulatory hurdle, bringing the long-anticipated U.S. offshore wind revolution one step closer to reality.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Interior Department announced it had approved Vineyard Wind’s plan to build an 800-megawatt wind farm off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. This so-called “Record of Decision” comes two months after the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) completed a final environmental review of the project.
Standard-Times Staff
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced Thursday it is about to open a 30-day public comment period for an offshore wind farm, Revolution Wind, planned for waters south of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
This comment period kicks off the environmental review of the project. If BOEM approves it, Revolution Wind would be allowed to construct and operate an 880-megawatt (MW) wind energy facility. The Vineyard Wind project is slated to be 800 MW.
BOEM will hold three virtual public meetings and accept comments to inform the preparation of the environmental impact statement.
“Public input plays an essential role in identifying and mitigating any potential impacts from proposed energy development activities,” said BOEM Director Amanda Lefton in a statement. “BOEM is committed to ensuring that any future offshore wind development is done safely and responsibly, and with the benefit of feedback from critical stakeholders.”
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has begun its environmental review of the 880MW Revolution Wind project off the coast of Rhode Island and Connecticut.
BOEM has today issued its notice of intent (NoI) to prepare the required environmental impact statement (EIS) on the project’s construction and operations plan.
The publication of the NoI opens a 30-day public comment period.
During this time, BOEM will hold three virtual public scoping meetings and accept comments to inform the preparation of the EIS.
BOEM director Amanda Lefton said: “Public input plays an essential role in identifying and mitigating any potential impacts from proposed energy development activities.