The Bureau of Ocean Management (BOEM) has made available draft Environmental Impact Statements (DEIS) for the proposed offshore wind projects Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) and Sunrise Wind.
The 3GW CVOW project is proposing 205 wind turbines, while the 1GW Sunrise Wind project off Massachusetts will feature 94 wind turbines.
BOEM will use the findings of the EIS to inform its decision on whether to approve CVOW and Sunrise Wind’s construction and operation plans (COP).
The Notice of Availability for the draft EIS for each project will publish in the Federal Register on 16 December.
These projects represent the fourth and fifth projects at this stage of regulatory review by BOEM.
In addition, the Department of the Interior has approved what will be the nation’s first two commercial scale offshore wind projects, initiated review on an additional 10 projects, and held three offshore wind lease auctions.
“BOEM is committed to President Biden and Secretary Haaland’s vision for a clean energy future – one that will combat climate change, create good-paying union jobs, and ensure economic opportunities are accessible to all communities.
“Central to that is the comprehensive and rigorous review of projects,” said BOEM Director Amanda Lefton.
“As BOEM continues to make unprecedented progress, we will continue to work collaboratively with our Tribal, state, and local government partners to harness the transformative potential of US offshore wind, while avoiding or minimising potential impacts to marine life and other ocean users.”