The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed SouthCoast Wind Project. If approved, this ambitious project could generate up to 2.4 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy, enough to power more than 800,000 homes.
Significance of the Project
BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein emphasized the collaborative effort involved in the environmental review, stating, “Tribal nations, federal and state agencies, local communities, ocean users, and key stakeholders have been instrumental in informing BOEM’s detailed environmental review of the proposed SouthCoast Wind Project.” She noted that completing this review represents a major milestone in the administration’s commitment to clean energy objectives that will benefit local communities.
Project Details
The SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC proposal includes:
- Up to 147 wind turbine generators
- Up to five offshore substation platforms located at a maximum of 149 positions
- Up to eight offshore export cables potentially making landfall in Brayton Point or Falmouth, Massachusetts
The lease area covers approximately 127,388 acres and is situated about 26 nautical miles (Nm) south of Martha’s Vineyard and 20 Nm south of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
Community Engagement
During a 60-day public comment period from February to April 2023, BOEM held three virtual public meetings to gather input on the draft EIS from various stakeholders, including tribal nations, local community members, government partners, and commercial fishing interests. BOEM received 182 comments, which helped shape the final EIS.
Commitment to Clean Energy
Under the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of the Interior has approved over 15 GW of clean energy from ten offshore wind projects, enough to power nearly 5.25 million homes. The administration has also conducted six offshore wind lease auctions, including historic sales offshore New York and New Jersey, as well as the first-ever sales off the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts. Earlier this year, Secretary Deb Haaland announced a schedule for potential additional lease sales through 2028.
The Biden-Harris administration aims to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
Suggested Sources
- [Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)]
- [Department of the Interior]
- [SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC]
