The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is starting the environmental review of a proposed 2430MW offshore wind energy project off Massachusetts.
This week, BOEM will publish a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) submitted by Beacon Wind.
Equinor Renewables Americas president Molly Morris said: “We are pleased that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has announced its Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Equinor and BP’s Beacon Wind project.
“The NOI marks a significant milestone in Beacon Wind’s path towards regulatory approval. It also initiates a public review period that provides an important opportunity to gather feedback as the project progresses.
“Beacon Wind 1 will generate enough renewable energy to power more than one million New York homes and will also be a significant driver of economic development in the region.
“Beacon Wind 2 has the potential to power over a million additional US homes once contracted.
“We will continue to closely engage with federal officials, state regulators, and a wide range of interested stakeholders as we work together to advance one of the largest offshore wind projects in the US.”
BOEM director Elizabeth Klein added: “BOEM is advancing the Administration’s ambitious energy goals while remaining diligent in our efforts to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to ocean users and the marine environment.”
“As part of our environmental review process, we seek input from Tribes, our government partners, the fishing community, and other ocean users to inform our next steps.”
The lease area is south of Nantucket, Massachusetts and east of Montauk, New York.
If approved, the development and construction phases of the Beacon Wind project could support up to an estimated 6491 jobs.
Highlights from the proposal include the construction and operation of two wind energy facilities (Beacon Wind 1 and Beacon Wind 2) with a total capacity of at least 2430MW, hosting up to 155 turbines, up to two offshore substation platforms, and up to two offshore export cables, which are planned to make landfall in Astoria, New York, and Waterford, Connecticut.
The publication of the NOI in the Federal Register on 30 June 2023 opens a 30-day public comment period that ends on 31 July 2023.
During the public comment period, BOEM will hold two virtual and two in-person public meetings for the Beacon Wind EIS.