The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Orsted’s 924MW Sunrise offshore wind project in the US.
The project plan submitted by Sunrise Wind LLC includes up to 94 wind turbines and their associated export cables. The onshore export cables, substation, and grid connection is located in Holbrook, New York.
In response to comments from government partners, key stakeholders, and the public, and after considering project feasibility, BOEM developed a preferred alternative that includes fewer turbines (84) to accommodate geotechnical feasibility of the project, reduce impacts to benthic habitat and Atlantic cod, and meet the energy needs of New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
The FEIS analyses the potential environmental impacts of the activities laid out in Sunrise Wind’s construction and operations plan.
BOEM plans to issue a Record of Decision on whether to approve the project early next year, and, if so, identify any conditions of approval.
“We carefully considered input from our government partners, key stakeholders and the public for the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Sunrise Wind,” said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein.
“This document represents a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the potential environmental impacts of the project and is another milestone in achieving President Biden’s ambitious clean-energy goals.”