(WASHINGTON) — In support of the Biden administration’s goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on Monday announced the availability of its draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed SouthCoast Wind (formerly Mayflower Wind) energy project offshore Massachusetts.
SouthCoast Wind represents the seventh project that is currently in the draft EIS stage of review by BOEM. If approved, this proposed 2,400-megawatt project could provide power for more than 800,000 homes.
“BOEM continues to make significant progress toward achieving this administration’s vision for a clean energy future – one that will combat climate change, create jobs to support families, and ensure economic opportunities are accessible to all communities,” said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein. “In our review of offshore wind projects, we are committed to working collaboratively with our tribal, state and local government partners as well as using the best available science to avoid or minimize conflict with existing users and marine life.”
The SouthCoast Wind draft EIS can be found on BOEM’s website, and the notice of availability will publish in the Federal Register on Feb. 17, which will open a 45-day public comment period that ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on April 3. The input received during the comment period will inform preparation of the final EIS.
SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC submitted a construction and operation plan (COP) for its proposed wind energy facility and associated export cables on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Massachusetts. The proposal includes up to 147 wind turbines and two export cable corridors. One corridor would be used by multiple export cables making landfall in Falmouth, Mass., and the other corridor would be used by multiple export cables making landfall in Somerset, Mass.. The lease area covers approximately 127,388 acres and is approximately 26 nautical miles (nm) south of Martha’s Vineyard and 20 nm south of Nantucket.
BOEM will use the findings of the final EIS to inform its decision on whether to approve the SouthCoast Wind COP, and if so, which mitigation measures to require.
Public meetings and comments
During the comment period, BOEM will hold three virtual public meetings where the public can learn more about the review process, the EIS schedule, potential impacts from the proposed project, and proposals to reduce potential impacts. Participants can also provide comments on the draft EIS. The public meetings will be held on the following dates and times. All times are Eastern:
Monday, March 20, 5 p.m.
Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nyLIQfvSTBS6klNMmwMofw
Dial-in phone number: (888) 788-0099 (toll free)
Meeting ID: 817 7575 3103
Password: 196 200 97
Wednesday, March 22, 1 p.m.
Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FkDov8StSVWS6w_ZT7Uw7w
Dial-in phone number: (888) 788-0099 (toll free)
Meeting ID: 854 8114 9775
Password: 32044299
Monday, March 27, 5 p.m.
Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Yck7ucH0RQ2NtKDsWtTGoA
Dial-in phone number: (888) 788-0099 (toll free)
Meeting ID: 849 4517 9847
Password: 41687999
A virtual meeting room will be on BOEM’s website starting on Feb. 17. It will be available throughout the 45-day comment period and will include information about the draft EIS and how to provide comments.
More information on the proposed SouthCoast Wind project can be found here.
– Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
