The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed a supplement to its draft environmental impact statement (SEIS) for Vineyard Wind’s 800MW offshore wind project off the coast of Massachusetts.
BOEM will publish a notice of availability (NOA) in the Federal Register shortly, which will open a 45-day public comment period.
The 480-page SEIS document analyses “reasonably foreseeable effects” from an expanded cumulative activities scenario for offshore wind development.
BOEM anticipates issuing the final EIS and the record of decision late this year.
The SEIS considers previously unavailable fishing data, a new transit lane alternative, and changes to the project’s construction and operations plan since publication of the draft EIS.
Changes include installing turbines with a maximum capacity of up to 14MW as opposed to the previous limit of 10MW.
The SEIS was informed by comments from a wide variety of stakeholders including state and local governments, federal agencies, industry, and the public.
The agency will notify all stakeholders, including federal, state, and local agencies, elected officials, fishing communities, and the public, when the SEIS is available for public comment.
BOEM will also hold public meetings during the comment period.
CIP-Avangrid joint venture Vineyard Wind submitted its COP in December 2017.
BOEM will review the plan and approve, disapprove, or approve with modifications the proposed activities.
This submission will initiate another round of environmental review and public comment under the National Environmental Policy Act.