The US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed the final environmental analysis of Vineyard Wind’s proposed 800MW offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts.
BOEM said that later this week it will publish a Notice of Availability for the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the Federal Register.
The EIS analyses the potential environmental impacts of making a decision on Vineyard Wind’s construction and operation plan.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary land and minerals management Laura Daniel Davis said: “The US is poised to become a global clean energy leader.
“To realise the full environmental and economic benefits of offshore wind, we must work together to ensure all potential development is advanced with robust stakeholder outreach and scientific integrity.”
BOEM director Amanda Lefton (pictured) said: “Offshore energy development provides an opportunity for us to work with Tribal nations, communities, and other ocean users to ensure all decisions are transparent and utilise the best available science.
“We appreciate everyone’s participation in the process and look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders on the future analysis of offshore wind projects.”
Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between Avangrid Renewables and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, said the EIS is the penultimate step in the federal permitting process for the project.
Vineyard Wind chief executive Lars Pedersen said: “We want to thank BOEM for all of the work they’ve done since we submitted the permit application in December of 2017 on this first-in-the-nation project.
“More than three years of federal review and public comment is nearing its conclusion and 2021 is poised to be a momentous year for our project and the broader offshore wind industry.
“Offshore wind is a historic opportunity to build a new industry that will lead to the creation of thousands of jobs, reduce electricity rates for consumers and contribute significantly to limiting the impacts of climate change.
“We look forward to reaching the final step in the federal permitting process and being able to launch an industry that has such tremendous potential for economic development in communities up and down the Eastern seaboard.”
Vineyard Wind is expected to reach financial close in the second half of 2021 and begin delivering clean energy to Massachusetts in 2023.
US Business Network for Offshore Wind president and chief executive Liz Burdock said: “This is the day the US offshore wind industry has been anxiously awaiting for years.
“Today’s announcement provides the regulatory green light the industry needs to attract investments and move projects forward.
“Now, BOEM must continue to consider the unique characteristics of each Wind Energy Area and move the 10 other projects through the permitting process.
“The US can’t be one and done; otherwise, we cannot compete with the explosive growth currently seen in Asian and European markets.
“For the US to fully achieve environmental and economic benefits of offshore wind, we must move to localise the supply chain in America and train businesses on industry supply chain needs.
“Done right, that means new orders for manufacturers, well-paying jobs for welders and engineers, and renewed shipyard activity across the US The Business Network for Offshore Wind is dedicated to developing that supply chain and helping usher in the next great American industry.”