The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has published the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed 2400MW SouthCoast Wind (formerly Mayflower Wind) energy project off Massachusetts.
SouthCoast Wind, a JV between Shell and Ocean Winds, represents the seventh project that is currently in the draft EIS stage of review by BOEM.
If approved, this could provide power for more than 800,000 homes.
BOEM director Elizabeth Klein said: “BOEM continues to make significant progress toward achieving this administration’s vision for a clean energy future – one that will combat climate change, create jobs to support families, and ensure economic opportunities are accessible to all communities.
“In our review of offshore wind projects, we are committed to working collaboratively with our tribal, state and local government partners as well as using the best available science to avoid or minimise conflict with existing users and marine life.”
The SouthCoast Wind draft EIS can be found on BOEM’s website, and the notice of availability will publish in the Federal Register on 17 February 2023, which will open a 45-day public comment period that ends 3 April 2023.
The input received during the comment period will inform preparation of the final EIS.
SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC submitted a construction and operation plan (COP) for its proposed wind energy facility and associated export cables on the Outer Continental Shelf off the Massachusetts coast.
The proposal includes up to 147 wind turbines and two export cable corridors.
One corridor would be used by multiple export cables making landfall in Falmouth, Massachusetts, and the other corridor would be used by multiple export cables making landfall in Somerset, Massachusetts.
The lease area covers approximately 127,388 acres and is approximately 26 nautical miles (nm) south of Martha’s Vineyard and 20nm south of Nantucket.
BOEM will use the findings of the final EIS to inform its decision on whether to approve the SouthCoast Wind COP, and if so, which mitigation measures to require.