The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Ocean Wind 1 wind energy project offshore New Jersey.
BOEM’s DEIS for the proposed Ocean Wind 1 offshore wind farm analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action described in Ocean Wind’s project plan for constructing and operating an offshore wind energy facility. This is the first DEIS published by the Biden administration for an offshore wind energy project, BOEM said.
The Notice of Availability for the DEIS will publish in the Federal Register on 24 June, opening a 45-day public comment period, which ends on 8 August.
During the comment period, BOEM will conduct three virtual public meetings and accept comments on the DEIS. The input received via this process will inform the preparation of the final EIS.
BOEM will use the findings of the EIS to inform its decision on whether to approve Ocean Wind’s proposed project.
”BOEM remains committed to an environmental review process that establishes a strong foundation for offshore wind projects in the U.S. while promoting ocean co-use and avoiding or reducing potential conflicts,” said BOEM Director Amanda Lefton .
”The feedback provided by ocean users and our many stakeholders will help inform the Final EIS and provide invaluable insight to decision makers.”
Ocean Wind proposes to construct up to 98 wind turbines and up to three offshore substations within the lease area, located 15 statute miles southeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey, with export cables making landfall in Ocean County and Cape May County, New Jersey.
If all 98 wind turbines are approved for installation, the estimated capacity range will be from 1,215 to 1,440 MW, capable of powering up to 504,000 homes per year.
The project, being developed by Ørsted and Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), was selected by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) through a competitive procedure back in June 2019.
The wind farm will feature GE Haliade-X turbines.