Block Island Wins Major Environmental Approval

In a major advancement for the Block Island Wind Farm, Deepwater Wind has received the first major environmental permit approvals needed to begin deployment of this path-breaking project.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) issued Deepwater Wind Water Quality Certificates, deeming the Block Island Wind Farm and Transmission System in compliance with state water quality regulations and the Clean Water Act. These regulations ensure the protection of fish and wildlife, as well as the recreational use and navigation of Rhode Island inland and coastal waters. In addition, RIDEM issued the project a Freshwater Wetland permit for certain onshore construction activities.

“Momentum for the project is strong and we are moving closer to having ‘steel in the water,” said Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski. “We appreciate RIDEM’s thoughtful consideration of this project, and we’re confident that we’ll soon secure the remaining state and federal permits.”

Deepwater Wind must next secure an assent from the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, as well as approvals from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Each permit application has undergone extensive review and public comment. Deepwater Wind expects to secure all remaining permits this spring.

Deepwater Wind has begun the initial stages of construction on the 30-megawatt Block Island Wind Farm, located about three miles off the coast of Block Island. The project remains on target to be the nation’s first offshore wind farm, expected to be in operation in 2016.

Earlier this year, Deepwater Wind selected Alstom as its Block Island Wind Farm turbine supplier and long-term maintenance and service provider. This month, Deepwater Wind received delivery of 15 wind turbine blades from Alstom in Denmark.

Press Release, May 09, 2014; Image: dwwind